Gladys Irene Bowers Woolem

Gladys Irene (Bowers) Woolem, 90, of Lake City, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2009, at St. Bernard's Medical Center. She was born in Lake City on September 27, 1919, to the late George David and Fannie Ellen Mires. Mrs. Woolem was a dedicated and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Trumann First Pentecostal Church.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Randle Woolem of the home; two sons, Gary (Carletta) Bowers of Jonesboro and David Bowers of Trumann; five daughters, Nadine (Murphy) Spurlock of Jonesboro, Alice (Carl) Wells of Ravenden Springs, Diane (Joe) Wooten of Port Lavaca, TX, Rita (Lenuel) Bragg of Lake City; and Ruth (Charlie) Farris of Edwardsville, IL; 23 grandchildren, Rhonda Bailey, Randy Bowers, Donna Merriman, Sondra Vestal, Keri Bangert, Lura Spurlock, Marty Spurlock, Mark Wells, Monica Shelton, Erica McClung, Jared Bowers, Lisa Weaver, Dena Whitley, Amanda Hanson, Jason Hutcheson, Nathan Hutcheson, Beth Brilinski, Charlie Bragg, Bryan Bowers, Blake Bowers, Brooke Bowers, Jonathan Smithee and Clint Smithee; 30 great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Hall Bowers; a son, Edward "Ed Jr" Bowers.; two infant sons, Johnny and Randy Bowers; a daughter, Patsy Woolem; two brothers, Bill Murray and Raymond Mires; and two sisters, Beedie Woolem and Ruby Dubin.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Roller-Farmers Union Chapel in Jonesboro at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Joseph Hicks, Rev. Murry Ray, Rev. Marty Spurlock, Rev. R.J. (Joe) Wooten and Rev. Jerry Whitley officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will include her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will include her granddaughters, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Lasting memorials can be made to the Trumann First Pentecostal Church.