COLUMBUS – Ella Mae Alley Bowen, 86, of Columbus, went home to be with the Lord, Monday evening, August 17, 2026, at Spartanburg Medical Center.

Born in Hode, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Anderson Alley and Dovie Mae Horn Alley. Mrs. Bowen was a coalminer’s daughter having grown up in the hills of Kentucky. She and her husband, Joshua Bowen, moved to Polk County in September of 1970.

Mrs. Bowen’s life was her family. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, playing the guitar and singing. She was a member of Hillview Church of God in Landrum. Mrs. Bowen’s famous quote to everyone was “God loves you and I do too”.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joshua Bowen who passed away in February of 2025; her siblings, Thomas, Bye, Pricey Belle, Freddie, Effie, Minte Emma, Henry, Oma, Pauline, Jessie Frank and Clinton.

Surviving are two sons, Martin Ray Bowen and Jason Bowen, both of Columbus; one daughter, Gena Lazell Bowen of Columbus; two granddaughters, Anna Marie Bowen of Spindale and Isabella Mae Bowen of Columbus; one great-granddaughter, Lailyn Alley of Spindale; two sisters, Lois Faye Alley Mounts of Ohio and Ruth Alley Newsome of West Virginia. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Monday, August 24, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Hillview Church of God in Landrum. The funeral will follow at 2:00 p.m. Monday at the church with Reverend Chad Quinn officiating.

Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbus.

Memorials may be made to Hillview Church of God or Tryon Church of God.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon, North Carolina