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The following Obituary was submitted by FAG Volunteer, LaDana Mashburn Stacy, #47525649.
A&M-COMMERCE NEWS
CNHI
CADDO MILLS — Stella Faye Nelson Mashburn Bowers took the song “I'll Fly Away” literally as she flew to meet her master Feb. 15, 2010.
Stella was born in Karnes on Jan. 19, 1918, to David Andrew and Leona Caledona Hatley Nelson, who preceded her in death, leaving behind nine children who were placed among family members to raise. She lived with Vivian Baker's family until she married Houston Mashburn in 1935.
Stella was owner of Bowers' Cabins and was a West Tawakoni resident for 45 years, along with her husband, Olen Bowers, who preceded her in death in 1996. Prior to moving to West Tawakoni, she lived in Dallas in the older Field City area until Stemmons Freeway (I-35) came through and took many of the surrounding homes for the new road. She was a member of Field City Baptist Church in Dallas and First Baptist Church of West Tawakoni during her outstanding lifetime.
Including still operating the cabins, she was a retired lunchroom manager for the Dallas Independent School District, a former Boy Scout leader, a great cook specializing in lemon pie and other tasty treats, a former Sunday school teacher, VBS worker, a seamstress who made many gowns for GA coronations, and a lady who wasn't afraid of hard work. She outlived two husbands and survived her house explosion.
Although Stella never had any children, she had many whom she claimed and who claimed her. She has told more stories about all the kids in the neighborhood, the school, the church and the family as if she was a mom repeating their glory and their sorrows.
After Olen died she asked why God left her, but she soon found out that she had to help Karen raise a smart young girl named Angelina. Every day Stella and Angelina would play school for hours with Stella who was legally blind from macro-degeneration driving the imaginary school bus (her recliner), they cooked sometimes for real and sometimes in play and they had pedicures and massages. They had such fun and love for each other.
She was preceded in death by two husbands, Houston McKinley Mashburn of 20 years and husband of 33 years, Olen Bowers; all her brothers, Leonard, Richard, Horace and Morris (Shorty) Nelson; and sisters Flora Brown, Edna Green, Gracie Autry and Zetta Stavely.
She is survived by nieces and nephews Pam and Jim Stavely, Nora Marlow, Elizabeth Montgomery, Bertie Caudell and Hoyt Green, Eva Lou Feagin, Bert Manning and Don Autry, Rita Ann Holt, David and Don Nelson, Helen Burns and Mary Miller and Jeane Ketcham; and numerous great- and great-great nieces and nephews from the Nelson family.
From the Bowers' family she is survived by stepdaughters Jeannette Pittman and husband Bruce and Shirley Walker; grandchildren Alan, Julie, Bradley and Terri; and several great- and great-great-grandchildren.
From the Mashburn clan she is survived by Karen Lockhart, who for the past 14 years was her caregiver and chauffeur, and Wanda Johnson, along with their families, Larry and Teresa Johnson, Robin, Rick, Chris, Sarah, Megan and Ashley Stadt, Randi Lockhart and Angelina Juarez.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. today, with services Thursday at 11 a.m. at Quinlan Funeral Home. A graveside service and burial will follow at Restland Cemetery in Dallas.