Mary Kathryn (M.K.) Bowen

Mary Kathryn (M.K.) Bowen, age 86, of Nashville, TN, formerly of Chattanooga, TN passed away of natural causes on Saturday, May 23, 2020. M.K.’s true spirit of loving-kindness and generosity reflected her life’s motto, “Life’s A Party.”She took great interest in performing and promoting the Arts. At the national level, she served on the Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras and was a longtime contributor to the Santa Fe Opera. Locally, she was a member of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association and performed with the Chattanooga Opera Chorus and Chattanooga Bach Choir for numerous years. M.K. was an active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and was director of the Children’s Choir. She taught various grades in Shelby County and Hamilton County Schools. Most recently, M.K. promoted her love of learning and travel as she delivered monthly presentations at the M.K. Book and Travel Log Club in The Brookdale Green Hills Cumberland Senior Living where she resided in Nashville, TN.

M.K. was born near Keiser, Arkansas, on February 1, 1934, to the late Frank Brown Crews and Lona Francis Woodward Crews. She is survived by her children: Mary (Kim) Williams (David) of Williamsburg, KY and James (Jamey) Grady Bowen III, and Norman Wells of Nashville, TN; grandchildren: James David Williams of Charlotte, NC and Hunter Bowen Williams of Jackson, TN, and six living first cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: James “Jim” Grady Bowen, II, sister: Margaret Ann Tomlinson; and nephew: Bill Tomlinson, Jr.

The family especially wants to thank everyone at the Brookdale Green Hills Cumberland Assisted Living for all their unwavering care and support of M.K. during her time there. An announcement about a celebration of her life will come at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Chattanooga Bach Choir, PO Box 80576, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37414 or Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Association, 701 Broad St, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402.