Jill Battle Bowen, of Tifton, GA, 85, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2024, after spending the day in good conversation with all three of her living children. She was born on August 26, 1938, as the only daughter to Bernice and Eliot Battle of Tifton, GA. She was one of two children. Jill graduated from Tifton High School, in 1956. She then attended her local college, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. While attending ABAC, she met the man that would always be the love of her life, Jimmie C. Bowen of Register, GA.
Jimmie and Jill were soon married on April 21, 1957, and moved to Athens, GA for Jimmie to continue his education at the University of GA. They began their family while attending school and Jimmie graduated in 1960 with his Pharmacy Degree taking his new family to Camilla, GA for his first job. Later moving to Lumber City, GA where Jimmie opened his own Pharmacy and Jill became the bookkeeper and buying agent, not to mention handling her growing family. In 1973, Jill was awarded an Outstanding Young Women of America award, where she always said there was nothing outstanding about her, it was her children that were outstanding!
As the children grew older, she decided to go back to school and attended Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon, GA earning an Associate’s Degree in Public Administration. Her first job was Administrator of the Lumber City Nursing Home. Jill had found her calling and a life-long career in the Healthcare Industry, overseeing the care for the elderly. As the children grew up and began their own families, Jill and Jimmie moved to Statesboro and enjoyed a home on the Georgia Coast near Savannah. Jill’s dedication to her profession afforded her the opportunity to open two nursing homes, one in Statesboro and one in Savannah, GA. Retirement later moves Jill and Jimmie back to Jill’s roots in Tifton, GA. Tifton was the place where new friendships were begun and old friendships rekindled.
Jill was preceded in death by both parents, Bernice and Eliot Battle, her husband, Jimmie C. Bowen, her brother, Eliot (Zeke) Battle and one daughter, Pam Bowen Bragdon. Jill is survived by her sons, J. C. (Spud) Bowen, Jr. (Sherry), Chip Bowen (Fern), her daughter, Stacie Bowen Branch (Danny) and one son-in-law, Ronnie Bragdon (Debra). She is survived by eight grandchildren, J. Carson Bowen, III (Heather), P. Conner Bowen (Bridgett), Erin Bowen Middleton (Jeremy), Chad Bowen, Cliff Bragdon, Justin Branch (Synclair), Jesse Branch and Kinslee Branch. Also survived by seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements have been handled by Bowen Donaldson Funeral Home in Tifton, GA. Visitation will be held at the Bowen Donaldson Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday afternoon, March 10, 2024, at 2:30 o'clock, with a brief Memorial Service following. Monday afternoon, March 11, 2024, at 2:00 o’clock a Graveside Interment will be held at Lake Church Cemetery in Metter, GA. Active Pallbearers will be Jill’s grandsons.
Flowers are welcomed and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made and mailed to the Peanut Butter & Jesus Charity for feeding Children, mailing address, Tony McBrayer, 91 Springhill Church Road, Tifton, GA 31793.