Frances Marie Miller Bowie (83) of Oak Grove became one of the newest angels in heaven on Friday, February 16, 2018. After a relatively short illness, Marie spent her last days in the comfort of her home with family and friends.
Born on December 12, 1934 to Francis (Pappy) Miller, Marie was a longtime resident of Oak Grove. She married her high school sweetheart, George, on June 6, 1954 and they spent the next 63 years together working their farm, Laurel Grove Farms, and raising their family of four.
Marie graduated from Oak Grove High School and worked not only as a waitress at Ma Bowie’s Restaurant, but also as the secretary for Oak Grove Elementary School for many years. George and Marie ran Bowie’s Hardware and Furniture store for many years while also managing their thriving vegetable farm. After many years of raising, picking and packing tomatoes, they turned their operation into a market business and started selling their wares at markets in the Northern Virginia area.
Marie herself ran a market in Falls Church, McClean and Mount Vernon, but she continued to manage the farming operation with George until the end.
Marie is survived by her loving husband George and three children: Donna Dodd (Jimmy), Charles Bowie (Susie), and Laura Coates. She was predeceased by her daughter Debbie, Pappy and Grandma Laura.
Marie, otherwise known as NANA, leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Chris, Lisa and Sandi Dodd; Latane Bowie; Cainon, Jordan, Leah and Karsten Coates; and Buddy, Billy and Joey Gibson. She also leaves behind three great grandchildren: Autumn, Mason and Benny and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oak Grove on Monday, February 19, 2018 at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends following the graveside service in the church Parish Hall.
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