Mrs. Mary Jo "Mama Bowen" Bowen, 89, of 3104 Hwy 172 E, Bowman, died Wednesday, June 20 at Elbert Memorial Hospital.

Born on June 17, 1923 in Hartwell, Hart County, Georgia, she was the daughter of the late Fred Ayers and Maymer Robertson Ayers.Mary Jo was a retired inspector for Johnson & Johnson Baby Products, a member of Unity Baptist Church, WMU former Treasury and other church committees.

Survivors include her husband, James Wilson Bowen of the home; one daughter, Joan B. Mauldin of Bowman; four sons: Jimmy Bowen of Bowman, Roger Bowen of Royston, Andy Bowen of Bowman, and Mark Bowen of Milledgeville; one brother, Rollin Ayers of Snellville; and three sisters: Jackie Hilley of Cartersville, Betty Seymour of Hartwell, and Peggy Smith of Edgefield, SC; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren also survive.Mrs. Bowen was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Curtis Ayers and Edward Ayers; and one sister, Patsy Sanford.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 22, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Jack McVeigh and Rev. Roger Elrod officiating.Burial will be in the Unity Baptist Church Cemetery.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Friday.The family is at the home.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.