Emily Whitehead Bowen

Emily Whitehead Bowen, 91, of Gainesville, GA. was called to her heavenly home on Saturday, April 16, 2022. She was the daughter of Carlton Whitehead and Madlen Hauff Whitehead . She was born May 16, 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia.

She is preceded in death by her son, John McGowan Bowen III and her husband of 67 years, John McGowan Bowen Jr., her parents, her brother, Clay Whitehead and her sister Leslie Cummings.

Emily is survived by her three sons, Robert C Bowen (Laura), Sheppard Alan Bowen (Carolyn) and Scott M. Bowen (Debbie). Also Surviving are her six grandchildren, Samantha B. Schwingen, Jenna E. Bowen, Robert Mac Bowen, Sarah B. Yacovett, Sheppard M. Bowen and Taylor M. Bowen as well as her nine Great-Grandchildren.

Emily was born in Atlanta, Georgia but spent much of her childhood in Northern California. She graduated from Palo Alto Sr. High School and attended the University of CA. Berkely and San Jose State. She studied Liberal Arts, education, orchestra and Choir.

As a youth, during World War II, she served as a volunteer with the Red Cross in Northern California. One of her vivid memories of this time was seeing a captured Japanese mini submarine displayed on the front lawn of her high school.

Emily met the love of her life, John M Bowen Jr., in 1950 and they were married August 1, 1951.

While her sons were in their youth she served with the Hammond Elementary School PTA, Mt. Vernon Woods Garden Club and as a Sunday school teacher, youth group advisor and with the Women’s group of Mount Vernon Woods Presbyterian Church in Sandy Springs, GA.

She was a homemaker for most of her life but was co-owner and operator of Laurel Creek Nursery, in Gwinnett County, with her husband John.

Emily was a strong believer in Christ and always had a smile on her face that would light up any room.

She loved life and all that was in it but most of all, she loved her family. She also enjoyed reading, sewing, traveling, gardening, decorating, meeting new people and music which included her love of playing the piano.

Emily, “Nana” to her grand and great grandchildren, was a loyal wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved and supported her family with all her heart. She will be missed