Clayton E. Bowers

Clayton E. Bowers, age 91, of Martin, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026 at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital. Born on November 16, 1934, in Greeneville, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Eunice Clayton Bowers and Lily Goins Bowers.

After high school, Clayton proudly served in the United States Army. He was a member of Clark's Creek Baptist Church and a member of the Lavonia Moose Lodge.

Clayton was a man who loved his family. Spending time with them was his greatest joy. He didn’t miss a ballgame, hog show, cattle show or family get together. These times were always filled with love and laughter. He loved having the great grandchildren around so he could sit back and watch their shenanigans and laugh. As he got older and was less able to travel to the kids’ ballgames, he had to be sent play by play of what they were doing so he didn’t miss a thing. The Georgia Bulldogs were his favorite team and his favorite saying was, “Go Dawgs!” For many years he enjoyed tailgating with family and friends and traveling to Florida for the Georgia/Florida game and eating good food with good friends.

He enjoyed growing chickens for Fieldale Farms for 38 years in addition to working on appliances until he was 90 years old. There has never been an appliance made that he couldn’t fix. He was always friendly and kind to people, he genuinely cared about everyone. It was evident in his words and actions. Clayton was an avid gardener who took great pride in sharing the bounty that he always grew. Clayton never missed a chance to go on an adventure with friends and family, whether it was rafting, fishing or driving kids around on the Kubota. He loved life and lived it to the fullest.

In addition to his parents, Clayton was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Teresa Bowers; his sisters, Betty Jo Payne and Easter Parker; his parents-in-law, Curt and Geneva Pitts; and his brother-in-law, Ty Cawthon.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Pitts Bowers of Martin; his children, Rhonda Walker (Mack) of Hoschton, Robert Bowers (Suzanne) of Sugar Land, Texas, Don Bowers of Toccoa, and Robbin Partain of Martin; his grandchildren, Tanda Evans, Brooke Farmer, Jessica Abbott, Josh Brown, Tara O'Conner, Julia Sosebee, Erin Abbott, John Sosebee, Dylan Dominey, Luke Dominey, Stephen Bowers, Justus Bowers, and Judah Bowers; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews; his brother, Lloyd "Hoot" Bowers (Nancy); his sister-in-law, Peggy Pitts Cawthon; and his special friends, Joan and Lamar London.

Funeral services for Mr. Bowers will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Clarks Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerrell Beatty and the Rev. Joey Stewart officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Pitts Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements Online condolences and words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting www.stricklandfh.com.