Barbara Bowen

Mrs. Barbara Lee Bowen, age 81, of Cedartown, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. She was born on October 11, 1944, a daughter of the late Jesse and Ruby Lee Clements. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Dan Bowen; her sister, Rebecca “Becky” Millican; and her brother-in-law, Kent Millican.

Barbara is survived by her nephew, Shay Harrell, and his wife, Tina; their children, Benjamin (Mackenzie) and Zella; and Benjamin and Mackenzie’s daughter, Blakely. She is also survived by her niece, Jolee Gray, and her husband, Davy; their children, Ramplee Gray Jones (Jetavious) and Bex Gray; and her goddaughter, Yuri Melendez (William), and their children, Juliana and Iris. Barbara attended First Baptist Church of Cedartown and was a member of the Sunday school class, United Sisters.

Barbara was a 1962 graduate of Cedartown High School and began her career at First National Bank of Polk County immediately after graduation. Through careful planning, persistence, and a commitment to service, she was appointed to lead the bank’s First Folks travel club, a role she held for 28 years. First National Bank of Polk County was the second bank in Georgia to establish a travel club. Her leadership made First Folks an enduring legacy of customer service, fellowship, and adventure, enriching the bank, the travel industry, the community, and all who shared in the journey. Wherever she traveled, Barbara formed lasting bonds with people from around the world and left cherished memories with everyone she met. She served the bank with pride and dedication for more than 50 years before retiring as vice president on December 1, 2013.

Barbara and her late husband, Jerry, were married on April 18, 1965. Together, they believed deeply in three pillars: religion, education, and civic involvement. Barbara lived by these principles, devoting her time, talents, and energy to supporting her church, encouraging learning, and serving organizations that enriched the lives of others. Her dedication reflected her compassion, kindness, and love for humanity. Throughout her life, she lifted others up, and her influence will continue to be felt in the community and the world she loved so dearly.

Services to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM in the chapel of the Smith & Miller Funeral Home, with Reverend Wayne Benefield officiating. Yuri Melendez will deliver the eulogy.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the hour of the memorial service.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to First Cedartown Church (The Backpack Ministry), 101 North College Street, Cedartown, GA 30125, or Our House, PO Box 1647, Cedartown, GA 30125.

The family extends special thanks to Barbara’s cousin, Ms. Kathy Zebeau, and to Ms. Missie Borders for the care and love they showed during Barbara’s final months of illness. The family also thanks the staff and nurses at Big Springs Village for their continued care and loving support of their beloved Barbara. A heartfelt and deeply personal thanks is extended to the family’s dear friend, Mr. Sean Couch, whose constant presence, quiet generosity, and genuine devotion have meant more than words can express. His kindness, thoughtfulness, and willingness to help in every way, often behind the scenes, have been a true blessing to the family. May God richly bless each of you for the compassion you showed her, as well as Barbara’s family and friends.

The Smith & Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Barbara Bowen.