Frances Denton Bowman

View Funeral Webcast Frances Denton Bowman, 98, former long-time resident of Old Williamsport Pike, died Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Emily Barker and Rev. Donna Higginbotham officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Notes of sympathy may be sent to oakesandnichols.com. The Maury County native was the daughter of the late W. C. "Bob" Denton and Burbon Kannon Denton. She was a 1932 graduate of Culleoka High School and attended Watkins Business College. For a number of years she was secretary and bookkeeper for Maury County Veterinary Hospital and Mid-State Insurance Agency. Married August 8, 1933, she and her husband Tom B. Bowman, made their home and operated a farm for thirty years on the Old Williamsport Pike. Following Mr. Bowman's death June 12, 1981, she moved into Columbia where she entertained young and old alike with a smile, a hug, and funny stories. Following a fall last year, she moved to Life Care of Columbia and soon made everyone there a part of her family. Mrs. Bowman was a long-time, faithful member of Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church, active in United Methodist Women, and sang in the choir for many years. She and Mr. Bowman raised Tennessee Walking Horses for a number of years and she was a member and served as secretary of the former Maury County Horsemen's Association. Survivors include her daughter, Bonnie Bowman; treasured son and daughter-in-law, R. D. and Sammie Ledford; son-in-law, Dr. John (Elaine) Alden, Jr., all of Columbia; grandchildren, Dr. J. Dale (Carrie) Alden, III of Williamson County, Dwight (Jeanie) Ledford of Columbia, David (Martha) Ledford of Destin, Florida, and Samuel Webb of Johnson City; great-grandchildren, Maddie and Ben Alden, Brecca (Robbie) Meigs, and Heather Hayden; four-great-great-grandchildren. She loved and was beloved by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and neighbors. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jane Bowman Alden; grandson, Tommy Alden; brothers, Leland Denton, Billy Bob Denton; and Edward Merrill "Ned" Denton. She was blessed with loving caregivers at home and Life Care Center. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Hrishi Kanth, 3rd floor nurses and staff at Maury Regional Medical Center, and Hospice Compassus.