Barbara Jean Bowers, 86, of Arnold died May 12, 2023, in St. Louis. Mrs. Bowers was a retired secretary at Ridgewood Middle School in the Fox C-6 School District. She was a 63-year member of First Baptist Church of Arnold, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She enjoyed travel with her husband, especially their three trips to Hawaii, and loved spending time with her family. Born May 23, 1936, in Shawneetown, she was the daughter of the late Eula M. (Abernathy) and Clarence J. Ludwig. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years: Richard E. Bowers.
She is survived by two children: Teresa (Paul) Hill and Kevin (Mary Beth) Bowers, both of Arnold; a sister: Wanda Schuette of Arnold; six grandchildren: Matthew (Lydia) Hill, Joshua (Lauren) Hill, Sarah (Mike) Dillon, Leanne (Nathan) Casey, Sharon (Jason) Chadbourne and Melissa Bowers; 15 great-grandchildren: Violet, Justice, Henry, Catherine Anne, Marian, Alice, Titus, Ainsley, Walker, Josie, Declan, Jude, Nora, Jane and Finn; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a sister: Doris Vangilder
Visitation will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at Kutis Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, in south St. Louis County. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 22, at First Baptist Church of Arnold, officiated by the Rev. Kenny Qualls. Burial is in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Arnold Missions. Arrangements are under the direction of Kutis Funeral Home.