THE
HOPWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
HALL
OF FAME
INDUCTION
– MARCH 28, 1992
JEANETTE
BOWERS
Ira Otis Merryman and Hattie Florence Clark Merryman became the
parents of a daughter, Helen Jeannette, born July 5, 1908. To this union were
born three daughters; the first Edna Marie, who died at the age of nine months,
Edith Virginia, now deceased, was the third daughter. Jeannette, the second is
still living and will be 84 on July 5, 1992.
After graduating from eighth grade, she enrolled in the German
Township High School and graduated in the Class of 1926. R. E. Rudisill was
Superintendent, and Jacob B. Sheetz was Principal.
During her early youth, she was brought up with church
affiliation in the Fairview Church of the Brethren, near Masontown. She was very
active, serving as chorister and primary teacher. By this time, she had decided
to become an Elementary School Teacher. After graduation in 1926, she entered
California Normal School (now California University of Pennsylvania) to begin
her teacher's training.
After many summer classes and night extension classes, she
received her Elementary Teaching Certificate. Her first teaching assignments
were in the Grays Landing School, the Martin School, the New Geneva School and
the Woodside School.
In July 1928, she married James Martin Bowers. To this union
were two children - a daughter, Doris and a son, James. She gave up teaching to
raise her children. In 1941, her husband suffered a heart attack, and was
unable to work. Once again, she returned to her teaching profession.
After her husband's death, she and her family moved to
Uniontown. Doris lives with her and James and his family live in Akron, Ohio.
She secured a position in the South Union School District, now known as Laurel
Highlands. She taught at Hatfield, Hopwood, Hutchinson and Junior High at
Areford. She taught for a total of thirty (30) years.
Teaching wasn't her only diversion. She served as President of
the New Geneva PTA, and the Woodside PTA, also two years as President of the
Masontown Business and Professional Women's Club. She transferred from the
Brethren Church to the Hopwood Methodist Church, serving as choir director,
Sunday School Superintendent, hostess for the Radio Program on WPQR FM for two
years, sponsored by the Hopwood Church and personal sponsors. She took care of the food cupboard for the
Outreach Committee, was leader of the Prayer Chain for many years and
distributes Bereavement Books to families when they have lost a loved one.
Music should have been her middle name. She directed the Payette
County Youth Choir of 58 members. This choir was the special music attraction
at the Chambersburg Sunday School Convention. She also was a member of the Penn
Valley Four of the Hopwood Church. The quartet members were Libby Sharp,
Dorothy Cook, Elva Semans and Jeannette. She served three years as the first
president of the Sweet Adeline Chorus organized in Fayette County and was a
member of the well-know quartet, "The Fay-Ettes". Members were Libby
Dick, Helen Lucy, Grace Freed and Jeannette. She served as Music Chairman for
the Billy Graham Crusade held in the stadium of the Uniontown High School.
In 1969, she retired from the teaching profession to take care
of her parents until God called them home. Being retired does not mean that she
has become inactive. She is very active in other interests.
She was honored on her 80th birthday at an "Open
House" in the Hopwood U.M. Church, by her daughter, Doris; son, James;
grandson, Jimmy, who passed away April 16, 1991 and many of her friends and
relatives. Jeannette has 4 living grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
The Lord has been very
good to her. She will continue to work until the Lord says
"Enough."
Since the time of
induction into the Hall of Fame, Jeannette has gone to be with the Lord in
Heaven.