Betty Lou Ratledge Bowen, age 79, of Lavonia, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.

She was born October 5, 1943, in Maryville, TN, the daughter of Annie Mae Brewer Ratledge and the late James T. Ratledge. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband: Billy Gerald Bowen. She was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where she served in the Hannah Sunday School Class.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her sons: Marc Bowen and Joe Bowen; daughter: Valerie Tobias; brothers: Jeffrey Gardener and Byron Gardner; grandchildren: Brooke Bowen, Brandon Bowen, Jennifer Wiese, Christopher Tobias, and John Tobias.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia with Rev. Doug Ferguson and Rev. John Marc Cooling officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering or State Missions.

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest register please visit stricklandfh.com.