Doris Hayes Bowers

Obituary For Doris Hayes Bowers

Doris Hayes Bowers, 95, of Memphis, TN passed away on February 25, 2025 at her home in Memphis, Tennessee. Sister Doris Hayes Bowers was born October 15, 1929, in Memphis, TN to Brother Columbus C. Hayes and Sister Nellie Willie Lee Thompson Hayes. She departed this life on February 25, 2025, in her life home at 1492 Warford St., Memphis, TN.
Doris was born into Greer Chapel A.M.E. Church and accepted Christ under the direction of the late Rev. J.J. Cooperwood at the age of 12. She was an avid member of Greer Chapel from childhood through adulthood. As a member, she participated in both the youth and adult choirs, as a soloist as well as choir member. She taught Sunday School, led the YPD Program, member of the Steward Board, and Vice President of the LB James Women’s Missionary Society; as well as, a lifelong member of the West Tennessee Annual Conference Women’s Missionary Society. She was twice elected delegate to the A.M.E. general conference. Also, she served as a conference Trustee under Bishop Byrd. Well known for her eye for fashion, she was the founder and narrator of the Greer Chapel A.M.E. Annual Tea and Fashion Show. Lastly, she was the Chairman of the building committee leading the opening of the Greer Chapel A.M.E. Family Life Center.
Doris grew up and lived in the Douglass Community. She attended Douglass Elementary School. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1948. While attending Booker T. Washington High School, she completed all required cosmetology classes and became a licenses cosmetologist.
In 1969, Doris was recruited and hired by Johnson Products Company, Chicago, Illinois as a Sales Representative for beauty & hair care products, responsible for the Southern and Eastern Divisions of the United States. Over her 20-year career, she rose to the level of Regional Sales Manager, at that time, the only female in the company to achieve that position. She retired from Johnson Products, due to serious health concerns. In 1984 and 1989, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, requiring surgery. She remained cancer-free for the remainder of her life.
Doris Vernell Hayes was united in holy matrimony to James A. Bowers Sr. in 1948 and they were married for 29 years util his death in 1977. They had one son, James A. Bowers Jr. “Chip”. In the early years of their marriage, they were entrepreneurs owning and operating Pete’s Place and Lil’s Bob in Memphis, TN.
Doris was preceded in death by her mother and father, sisters; Margarite and Helen Hayes, brothers; James, Jessie, and William Hayes, and nephews; Rev. George A. Powell and Barry Boykins.
Doris is survived by a devoted son, James A. Bowers Jr. “Chip”, grandson, Justin J. Bowers, great-granddaughter, Autumn Noelle Bowers, and a host of loving family members and friends.

The visitation for Mrs. Bowers, will be on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 4:00PM until 6:00PM at R S Lewis & Sons Funeral Home at 2944 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38111. A viewing will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 from 10:00AM until 11:55 AM with a Celebration of Life to follow at 12:00 Noon both will be held at Greer Chapel AME Church located at 3205 Chelsea Ave Memphis, Tennessee. The interment will be immediately following the service at 2PM in Memphis National Cemetery.

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