Lauretta Bailey Bower

Lauretta Bailey Bower, age 84, a Richmonder, passed on July 26, 2022. She is survived by her husband Fred Bower, her beloved sons Fred, III (Jean), Tim (Jeri), Randy (Carrie), Todd and her grandchildren Katie, Rebecca, Michael, and Sophie Bower. Lauretta graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1955 and Hollins College in 1959. She married that June and began teaching Math at the downtown John Marshall High School. Between the births of her sons, she also taught at George Wythe High School, the old Hermitage, Collegiate Girls School, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and ended at Godwin serving part-time as a school math tutor. She continued seeing some Godwin teachers at a monthly luncheon and Bridge group. In 1968 she was chosen as the 20th Hostess of the National Annual Tobacco Festival representing her Thomas Jefferson Jr. Woman’s Club. Other club memberships were The Woman’s Club and daughter member of The Tuckahoe Woman’s Club. For several years she served as election precinct Chief Officer at the Skipwith School. She loved the beach, she and Fred visited Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Bermuda, and Maui. The family vacationed at Virginia Beach and then owned a second home there for 32 years. Her passions were duplicate Bridge and tennis. She loved being with her Bridge buddies and playing suburban tennis and indoor tennis at Courtside West. Her artistic talent was optimally displayed in her church altar floral arrangements. She was voted Best Dressed in Jr. High School and continued that later in life. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, August 5th at 11 am at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd. in Richmond. Interment will be private, at Westhampton Memorial and Cremation Park. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Lung.org. Condolences may be offered at the Funeral Homes website.