Rose Bisanar Bowden

Rose was born on June 17, 1921, in the small community of Machpelah in Lincoln County. She grew up on a farm on the Old Plank Road as the youngest of five children.

After graduating from Rock Springs High School near Denver, NC, she attended Lees-McRae college from 1939 to 1941 receiving a degree in Medical Records. She completed the required one-year internship at Grace Hospital on the Lees-McRae campus in 1941-42 and then took a job in Sylacauga, Alabama. There she started a Medical Records Department at two hospitals so they could obtain accreditation. Later, she and another Lees-McRae graduate worked together to found the first Medical Records Association in Alabama.

While in Sylacauga she met Jim Thompson Bowden, the boy who literally lived next door, and they were married there on August 2, 1945.

In 1952 they moved to Gastonia, NC, where they raised their four children. A few years later Rose took a job in the Medical Records Department of the North Carolina Children’s Orthopedic Hospital and worked closely with the doctors there for 23 years until the hospital closed. She then worked for seven years at the Gaston Mental Health Center. She retired and spent the next few years travelling with her friends to Elder hostels at Universities in many areas of the US and Canada. The call of a hospital setting, and medical records became strong after a few years of retirement, so she returned to Gaston Hospital (now CaroMont) where she worked part time for ten years.

Rose was passionate about Lees-McRae. As a student she was active on campus and elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the Student Council. For many years she was the Class Agent for her 1941 class and was always active in the school’s Alumni Association.

Reading was one of her favorite hobbies, often finishing three or more books a month. She was an accomplished needleworker, and many family members and friends enjoyed the special cross-stitched pieces she completed for them.

After her second retirement, Rose fulfilled her love of traveling by visiting Guam, Japan, Germany, Austria, and Ireland. As she always said, “You can never stop learning.”

Rose was predeceased by her husband, Jim T. Bowden, who passed away on December 29, 1967, and by her two brothers and two sisters.

She is survived by her four children, Rebecca Nemeth (John) of Fort Mill, SC; Patricia Bowden of Big Stone Gap, VA; Jim T. Bowden, Jr. of Raleigh NC; and Michael Bowden (Terri) of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

There will be a gathering to greet the family on Monday, July 10, 2023, from 5 to 7 pm at Carothers Funeral Home, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia, NC. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers any remembrances in Rose’s name be sent to the Office of Advancement, Lees-McRae College, 191 Main Street, Banner Elk, NC 28604 or https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/32789/donations/new?a=6003958.

Fond memories of Rose and condolences for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.

The staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Bowden Family