Margaret Bethea Bowden

Margaret Bethea Bowden, 99, of Atlanta, peacefully passed away of natural causes December 8, 2014, in her home surrounded by family and loved ones. "Mamie", as she was affectionately known by all that loved her, was born in Greensboro, Georgia on March 13, 1915, to her parents, Mary Morgan Weaver and Thomas Jefferson Bethea. As a young child, the family moved to Madison, Georgia where she spent the remainder of her childhood. Fishing for perch and brim were among her favorite childhood activities. She graduated from Morgan County High School in 1932. After graduating from high school, Mamie moved to Washington, DC where she worked for the Woman's National Party for one and a half years. She then returned to Madison where she worked for the Morgan County Agent's Office, a job to which she was devoted and spoke of often during her life. In 1936 she moved to Atlanta to continue working. There she met her future husband, James Richard Bowden, a dapper US Naval officer, who was later stationed in Annapolis, Maryland. On January 7, 1943 they were married in Baltimore at The Massachusetts Avenue Methodist Church. Mamie loved to paint china, garden, and sew. She was extraordinarily proficient in her crafts, and spent hours each day working to perfect her skills. She attended to gardening everything from African violets to roses and ferns, all the while searching for the perfect fabric to make her own dresses. She hand painted china for the Governor's mansion collection. Mamie was a member of both the National and Georgia China Painters Guild. In addition to other charities and associations, she was a Benefactor of Saint Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. She also was a loyal follower of the children's choir at Northside Drive Baptist Church. All that being said, her first priority in life was always family - her true calling - attending to her husband and raising two daughters. Additionally, she spent countless hours helping raise her eight grandchildren, rarely missing a grandchild's ballgame or special event. She spent most of her life offering her assistance, service or company to anyone in need. She was always there to quickly and selflessly lending an ear or a helping hand. Her family will always hold dear the most cherished memories of the countless holidays gathering at her house, where she always welcomed her guests with a wonderful homemade turkey dinner garnished with her biscuits, cornbread stuffing and home-made eggnog. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful doctors, friends and caregivers who showed such love, patience and attention to her along her journey; especially her beloved long time special friend Alfredo Silva. She is survived by her two daughters, Margaret Bowden Moore and her husband Dudley L. Moore, Jr. and Patricia Bowden Thomas, both of Atlanta; eight grandchildren: Dudley L. Moore III, Margaret Moore Chambers, Richard Bowden Moore, Bartow Morgan, Lane Bowden Moore, Laurin Morgan Farrior, Richard Brand Morgan and Paul Magnum Morgan; fifteen grandchildren: Bartow Morgan III, Morgan Lera Farrior, Robert William Chambers IV, Moultrie Everett Morgan, John Rex Farrior, James Richard Chambers, Westly Maclaurin Farrior, Brand McAllister Morgan, Brand Nunnally Farrior, John Gabriel Morgan, English Bethea Morgan, Margaret Patricia Moore, English Bethea Morgan, Hugh Lane Moore, Hayden Louise Moore, Henry Donald Bowden Morgan. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, who passed away in June of 1985; sisters Mary Thomas Link, Valinda Bethea Kinsey, and brother Thomas Jefferson Bethea, Jr. A graveside memorial service will be held on December 10, 2014 at 2 o'clock at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. The Reverend Bill Britt of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Children's Health Care of Atlanta, The Independence Fund or the charity of your choice.