Alice May (Snyder) Bowers of Carthage, Missouri was born to Ira and Lena Snyder on September 8, 1927, at her parents’ home, six miles east of Carthage. Alice passed into the arms of Jesus at sunrise on July 5, 2023.
Alice grew up in a small home as one of eleven siblings, and when she was a young girl, the family lived through The Great Depression on their farm. As a teenager Alice’s life changed dramatically when all her older brothers began leaving home, three of them to join the Army. Alice and her remaining siblings kept up with the farm work of gathering eggs, milking the cows, and even fieldwork of thrashing wheat and putting up hay. When there was a choice of chores, Alice always loved to help her dad in the field.
The family attended Center Point Christian Church east of Carthage every Sunday where Alice served in the church and made many friends. She was baptized in Dry Fork Creek at the age of 13.
She attended Arthur School through the 8th grade and graduated from Sarcoxie High School. Alice liked school and was in the drum corps (one of the only extra-curricular activities available to young women in that day), where she played a snare drum and the trumpet!
Toward the end of Alice’s high school years, a new family began attending at Center Point with an exciting young man in the family – Carl Bowers. Though they were young (Carl 17 and Alice 18) the couple were determined to be married and accomplished that goal by being joined in holy matrimony in Columbus, Kansas on January 21, 1946.
Over the course of her life, Alice raised five children and for many years worked as the office manager for the family business, Bowers Electronics/Home Furnishings.
The family were very early members of Fairview Christian Church in Carthage, which became the centerpiece of the families’ life and ministry focus. Alice filled many volunteer roles there during her lifetime, including Sunday School teacher, Elder’s wife, and Adult Class secretary.
Alice was involved in the community of Carthage in several ways during her life. When her children were at Columbian Elementary, Alice was active with the PTA – serving as president several times. She was involved in Republican politics, at one time serving as a member of the county committee. Alice was an original volunteer with the Lifechoices pregnancy resource center in Joplin, at first as a counselor and later as a childcare volunteer – serving more than 10 years with the ministry. She also served more than 50 years with the Red Cross Bloodmobile as a volunteer.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, three sisters, and her beloved husband, Carl. She is survived by her children, Marcia Brasfield, Joplin, MO; Jeanie Andrews (Mel), Carthage, MO; Dennis Bowers (Beverly) of Carthage, MO; Joanie Dyer (Jon) of Fayetteville, AR; and Darrell Bowers (Kathy) of Carthage, MO. Ten grandchildren, Angie Phillips (David), Randy Brasfield (Kim), Brad Andrews (Ginny), Amanda Miller (Jason), Jonna Mills (Ryan), Jenessa Bailey (Mark), Jason Bowers (Orzalah), Jared Bowers, Melanie Perkins (Dustin), and Megan Phillips (Michael). Alice has 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Levi Snyder (Catherine), sister Edith Willard, sister-in-law Carol Snyder, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family loves and is thankful for the devotion of Roberta Andrews and Dee Sammons, two loving caregivers who served Alice toward the end of her life. They are also grateful to the Memory Care Unit staff and nurses at St. Luke’s Nursing Center in Carthage.
A funeral service will be held for Alice at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Fairview Christian Church in Carthage, Missouri. The visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM before the funeral service on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Fairview Christian Church. Burial will be at Fasken Cemetery immediately following the service.
Condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.
Any contributions may be made to Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center of Joplin or Carthage Crisis Center.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
