Janet Collier Bowers

Janet Collier Bowers, of Heber, Arizona advanced from this mortal existence on January 21, 2024, in the arms of her beloved husband, peacefully in her sleep. Janet was born on July 31, 1946, to Noble C. Collier and Fern Lee in Gilmer, Texas. Fern raised Janet and her brothers in Gilmer, Texas. She graduated from Gilmer High School in 1964. Janet was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was there, in 1966, at a church dance that Janet met the love of her life, Melville Bowers. Janet and Mel continued to date even while she attended East Texas State University to study Home Economics. After graduating, Janet married her best friend Melville Smith Bowers on June 4, 1968, in the Mesa Arizona temple. Janet and Mel went on to have six children, Samantha, Angela, Cheryl, Cyrena, Adam and Kyle. Janet and Mel relocated to Heber, Arizona in 1992, where Janet worked as an aide and pre-k teacher with Heber-Overgaard school district. After retiring in 2004, Janet served a service mission with her youngest son, Kyle. Janet worked in the Snowflake, Arizona temple with her husband Mel for many years. Janet used her Home Economics degree to teach her children and many others to cook and sew. She was known for her brownies and her Lemon Pound Cake. She was skilled in canning and food storage. Janet instilled a love of reading in her children and grandchildren. She read aloud to all her children even on road trips and then her grandchildren. Janet was a faithful member of her church and served in numerous callings throughout her life including Relief Society President, Sunday School Teacher, Young Women leader and, her favorite, Primary Chorister. In fact, on her last night on this earth, she sang Primary Songs with her children. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bobby Osborne of Gilmer, Texas, son, Kyle Benjamin Bowers, and two grandchildren. Janet is survived by her beloved husband Melville Bowers, daughters: Samantha (Chris) Comeaux, Angela (Kenny) Bigler, Cheryl Crowder (Daniel Fletcher), Cyrena (Matthew) Sexton, Adam (Michele) Bowers, brother Kenneth (Ann) Collier of Gilmer Texas, fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services will be held at the Heber Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Friday, January 26, 2024, with a viewing at 1:00 pm and a memorial service at 2:00 pm. A graveside service will be held at the Gilmer City Cemetery in Gilmer, Texas on Monday, January 29, 2024, at 11:00 am, under the direction of McWhorter Funeral Home.

Janet Collier Bowers

July 31, 1946 - January 21, 2024