Ruth Farmer Bowers

Ruth Farmer Bowers

Watkinsville, GA-
Mrs. Ruth Farmer Bowers, 93, entered into rest on Sunday, September 2, 2018, quite literally, as was her style. After a good morning chatting with her caregivers and enjoying her meal, she laid down for a nap, and awakened in the presence of her Lord, Jesus Christ. Praise be to Him for her gentle homegoing.
Ruth was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. No one loved their family more, nor showed that love better.
She was a quintessential southern woman, born and raised in Jefferson County, Georgia, graduating from Louisville Academy in 1942. After graduation, Ruth attended Georgia State Women’s College (now, GCSU), in Milledgeville. In 1946, she married the love of her life, Howard Mathew Bowers, Jr, who left her all too soon, passing away in 1970. She never remarried. After numerous moves early in their marriage, Ruth and Howard settled in his hometown of Augusta, where they raised their children, Matt and Tori.
Ruth worked in civil service at Fort Gordon in the 1950’s. She later was employed by Richmond County Government, finishing her career as the Jury Clerk for Superior Court, where she ushered the office into the computer age, retiring in 1998, at the age of 72. After retirement, Ruth lived in Gainesville, GA, and Athens, GA, where she moved with her daughter’s family.
Among the myriad of talents for which she will be remembered – her cooking and beautiful operatic singing voice among them – Ruth will be most remembered for her joy. She always had a smile and warm greeting for everyone and could rarely get through a story without ready and lyrical laughter. She exuded joy through her words and singing, serving the Lord through choir ministry at both First Baptist Church, Augusta, and Lakewood Baptist Church, in Gainesville; touching many lives along the way. We will miss her so.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, John Welch Farmer and Annie Page Farmer; her brother John Welch Farmer, Jr, and sister-in-love, Anne Parish Farmer, and their son, Mark Bertram Farmer; and her daughter-in-love, Diane Rockhill Bowers. She is survived by her brother, George Streetman Farmer, and her sister-in-love Emily Hamilton Farmer; her beloved son, Howard Mathew Bowers III (Matt), and daughter Tori Bowers Rowland, and son-in-love, Gregory Davis Rowland; her treasured grandchildren: Christopher Mathew Bowers, and wife Lee Davis Bowers, Patrick Foster Bowers, Jordan Page Rowland, and Evann Elisabeth Rowland; great-grandchildren: Alexia Madison Bowers, Jack Donnelly Bowers, and Harris Catherine Bowers; and nephews, John Welch Farmer III, and his wife, Sharon Smith Farmer, and Carey Parish Farmer, Geoffrey C. H. Farmer and wife Laura Grant Farmer, and niece, Rosanne Farmer.
We will celebrate Ruth’s life at a memorial service for her on Saturday, September 8th, at 11:00AM in the chapel at First Baptist Church, Augusta, officiated by Reverend Don Ormsbee of Lakewood Baptist Church. Visitation and a fellowship meal to follow.