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Jean Marie Williams Bowers Obituary

Jean Marie (Williams) Bowers, 98, of Blythewood, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025. Born in Saratoga Springs, NY, on August 27, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Elbridge Williams and Marie Abbey (Lyman) Williams. She married her husband, Richard George Bowers, on November 10,1951 and with him raised their four children.
Jean had lived with her daughter Ann Santangelo in Blythewood, SC since 2012. Before that she was a resident of Cuba, NY, where she moved with her family in 1967. She was a long-time member of Cuba United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and served as a Trustee, among other roles. She was active in many town and school activities and holds the distinguished honor of being the one who introduced the town to tacos. Jean worked for several years as an office manager for multiple doctors' offices. Later in life she filled several roles within the Cuba Central School district and as an office assistant at the local dairy before retirement.
After moving to South Carolina, Jean joined Trinity United Methodist Church, where she quickly became a familiar face. She was active in several church activities, including Trinity OASIS Choir, Emanon Sunday School Class, Hillclimbers., and Christian Assistance Bridge (CAB), where she worked well into her 98th year.
Jean enjoyed travel. She went all over the world with her husband in retirement (they especially loved Hawaii) and traveled with Trinity groups after relocating to South Carolina. She also enjoyed reading, bowling, working crossword puzzles (in ink!), knitting, crocheting, and Mexican Train Dominoes.
Survivors include her daughters Jean Kozubowski (Mark), Linda Matthews (Richard), and Ann Santangelo; son William Bowers (Wendy); grandchildren Tessa Comer (Ray), Ben LaPerna, Holly Bowers, William LaPerna, Nicholas Santangelo, and Kyle Bowers (Amanda); and great-grandchildren Blaine Harvey, Colton Comer, and Ayden LaPerna. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; brother, Kenneth Orville Williams; and son-in-law, Martin Santangelo.
The service for Jean will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 8th, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Boney Road, Blythewood, with the Rev. Julie Belman officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.
Memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church (Blythewood, SC) or its Christian Assistance Bridge (CAB) program.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Post and Courier - Columbia on Oct. 18, 2025.

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Memorial Events
for Jean Marie Williams Bowers

Nov

8

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

Trinity United Methodist Church

90 Boney Road, Blythewood, SC 29016

Funeral services provided by:

Shives Funeral Home - Trenholm Road Chapel

7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223

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