Mary Elizabeth "sister" Bowdren

Mary Elizabeth Bowdren passed away in peace on September 26, 2025. She was 95 years old. Mary, also known as "sister" by her family, was born in Wiggins, South Carolina on June 15, 1930. She was the second daughter of Herbert and Corene Bunton. Mary was a small town girl with big dreams of leaving home in Beaufort and seeing the world.

Mary met the love of her life, a Navy sailor from Peekskill, New York, at a USO dance in Paris Island, South Carolina. His name was Laurence P. Bowdren, but his family called him "Lolly." They married at St. Peter's Catholic Church on April 21, 1951. Mary's dreams came true and the grand adventure began to travel the world as they raised their family and always kept their suitcases packed.

Mary was the powerful force of nature who was fiercely devoted to helping Laurence rise up through the ranks of the Navy. With her unwavering support as a Navy wife, they climbed the ladder to success together until Laurence retired as a Commander with his career in hospital administration.

The most important accomplishment she was proud of in her life was raising her children with unconditional love and devotion. Mary's greatest desire was to foster family love and unity. We always knew we were a team that loved one another and worked together to always have each other's back.

Mary was the Matriarch of the family who always waited with arms wide open and ears ready to listen to help us solve our problems great or small. She was always wise and compassionate. She had high standards of excellence for her children. She was a class act and expected the same of her children. She taught us to hold our heads high and to rise up to conquer anything with integrity and perseverance.

Mary loved gardening and her home was always filled with music. She was a voracious reader of many hundreds of books. She was fascinated with the cultures of the many places she traveled. She hosted hundreds of marvelous parties. She was passionate about current events and politics.

Mary danced her way through life with the man of her dreams for over 71 years. They "cut many a rug" together with loving delight. Her joy for life lives on now through her children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. The legacy Mary leaves behind are the examples of how she lived her own life. Loving her Lord with all her heart and soul. Loving her family with fierce devotion. Her most important wish was for family unity. For us all to love one another and stick together.

Mary is pre-deceased by her husband, Cdr. Laurence Bowdren; and grandson, Richard "Ricky" Bowdren.

Mary is survived by her brother, Andy Bunton.

She is also survived by her 3 children.

Mary Corene "Rene" Williams, Laurence Paul "Chip" Bowdren, Jr., Jeffrey Wayne Bowdren (Kim).

5 grandchildren, Scarlett Knuth, along with Robert "Bobby" Bowdren and Elizabeth Bowdren (and their mother, Vonnie), and Kellie Cohn (Brandon), and Andrew Poe Bowdren.

11 great-grandchildren, Bara Faith, Jackson Ray, Tessa Smith (Lyndon), Nyla Hight (Connor), Isis Bowdren, Rinoa Bowdren, Elijah Phoenix, Aspen Krishna, and Jasper Blu.

3 great-great grandchildren, Elukai, Castiel, and Carson.

She is also survived by her "bonus daughter" niece, Lydia Cook and her son, Michael Cook Jr. and Chris Cook, her Sister Ruby's son.