Obituaries 11/30/2023
Alice Fay Allen
WATER VALLEY – Alice Fay (Vaughn) Allen passed from this life to eternal rest on November 26, 2023.
The oldest of five children, Alice was born on January 11, 1936 in Water Valley to Houston Greenwood Vaughn and Jenny Lou(Simpson) Vaughn. Alice graduated from Water Valley High School in May, 1954 and played girls basketball. She often fondly recalled a high school graduation present from her uncle, Clyde Jennings, who escorted her on a trip to New York City, where she toured the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building and other notable locations.
She married James Stevens Allen of Coffeeville on August 8, 1954, in Cleveland, Miss. They remained married for 65 years.
James was wounded during the Korean War, and returned to military service in the United States Air Force afterwards. They had two sons, Marc Stevens Allen, born June 3, 1956 at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas; and William Boyd Allen, born May 8, 1957 in Oxford. As a military wife, Alice lived in Texas, Mississippi, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. She also lived in the United Kingdom for four years. She served as a volunteer at the base hospital. While living in England, Alice traveled to Scotland, Holland, France and Germany and toured extensively in England.
James became an ordained minister in 1971 and after retiring from military service in 1973, he became a full time minister. Alice supported him as a pastor’s wife in several churches in South Carolina, Louisiana and Mississippi. In the early 1980’s, Alice was a housing coordinator at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary while James completed his Master’s Degree.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, James S. Allen; her parents, Houston and Jenny (Simpson) Vaughn; two sisters, Judy (Vaughn) Lantrip and Teresia (Vaughn) Olivis; and a brother, David Vaughn. She is survived her two sons, Marc and Will (Tammy); seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled Thursday, November 30 from 11 a.m. until noon in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The service will immediately follow at noon in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Dr. Randy officiating.
Clara May Foster Bowles
WATER VALLEY – Clara May Foster Bowles, age 89, went to her eternal home on November 26, 2023, surrounded by her family at her home in Water Valley. She was born August 8, 1934 in Arkansas to Louis David Foster and Clara Ruth Lawley Foster.
Clara grew up in Water Valley and was in the graduating class of 1953. She married the love of her life, James “Jim” E. Bowles, in 1954 and they moved to Wilmington, N.C., where he was stationed with the United States Air Force. Their first son, Mike, was born in 1955, followed by Tony in 1957.
Following Jim’s job with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the family would live in numerous cities across the country where Clara would find satisfying work outside the home. In 1982, upon the arrival of her first grandchild, Clara would affectionately become known as “Mamaw.” After retiring in 1988, she and Jim moved back to their hometown where they enjoyed family, raising cows, playing bridge and square dancing. Alongside of Jim, Clara was a member of Water Valley First Presbyterian Church.
Visitation is planned Friday, December 1, from 1 until 2 p.m. in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Harold Sprayberry officiating.
Clara is survived by her husband of 69 years, Jim; one son, Tony (Linda) Bowles of Tyler, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Bowles, of Grenada; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Bobby) Locke of Baytown, Texas, Rachel (Wade) Sorensen, of Lindale, Texas, Anthony (Katie) Bowles, of Woodbury, Tenn., Cathy (Chris) Eady, of Starkville, Kellie Bowles, of Big Bend National Park, Texas, Cassidy Bowles, of Lancaster, Pa. and Mark (Becca) Bowles, of Carrollton; 14 great-grandchildren, Olivia and Jackson Locke, Kathleen and Taylor Sorensen, Andrew, Eli, Lily Kate, Amelia, and Simon Bowles, Zeb, Apphia, and Michael Eady, and Luke Bowles; one sister, Catherine Tyler of Southaven; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Ratliff, of Toccopola and Martha Lynn Bowles, of Courtland.
In addition to her parents, Clara was preceded in death by one son, Mike Bowles; four sisters, Carline Stanley, Alma Martin, Frances Rogers and Margaret McNamee; and one brother, Billy Foster.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to niece Lisa Link and Dena Holkesvig for providing assistance and help in ensuring Mamaw’s needs were met.