Melba McCloud Bowers

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
Melba McCloud Bowers, 98, of Kingsport died Wednesday morning, October 31, 2018 at Preston Place 2. Born in Roan Mountain, TN, on August 11, 1920, a daughter of the late William Thomas and Martha Ann Hyder McCloud, she had resided in this area since moving from Carloville, AL in 2004. She graduated from Cloudland High School and attended East Tennessee State University. Melba married Henry Taylor Bowers on August 15, 1938, in Abingdon, VA. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Kingsport. Melba will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mom, grandmother, and friend who loved growing flowers, needle work, knitting, quilting, and collecting antiques.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at Preston Place 2.
In addition to her parents, Melba was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, H. Taylor Bowers; infant daughter, Linda; sisters, Crystal, Bonnie, Dorothy, Ruth, Hazel, and Naomi; and brothers, Nolan, Zeb, and Joe.
She is survived by her son, David Bowers and wife, Lynne of Kingsport; three grandchildren, Laurie Assid of Asheville, NC, D. Taylor Bowers and wife, Lorena of Chattanooga, TN, and Karen Perry and husband, Brandon Shane of Kingsport; grandson-in-law, Raymond Assid of Johnson City; seven great-grandchildren, Aaron Assid, Rebekah Assid, Caleb McKeehan, Elijah McKeehan, Sophie Perry, Sage Bowers, and Lochlan Bowers; several nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and great nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating. Those attending committal services are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 10:45 a.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 200 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.

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