Beatrice "Bea" Pritchard Fowler

Beatrice (Bea) Pritchard Fowler, 100, of Decatur, Georgia passed very peacefully on October 24, 2020 at her home in Brunswick, Georgia. Family and personal caregivers were by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph (Joe) Marion Fowler, Sr; son, Robert A Fowler; sisters, Pauline Pritchard and Miriam Cooke (Paul); daughter in law, Leslie Guerrant Fowler. She is survived by her son and daughter in law, Joe and Cindy (McDonald) Fowler of Brunswick, Georgia; grandchildren, Evan Fowler (mother, Lisa Fowler), Alex Fowler (mother, Sandy Daniels), Matt Kerlin, Michele Kerlin, Will McDonald (Laurin), Drew McDonald; nephew, John A Fowler; cousins Helen Mitchell, Terry Wright (Mike), Rebecca Smith (Ray); great-granddaughter, Lola Elizabeth McDonald; grandchildren in heart, Candy (Michael) Gonzalez. Many other extended family members.

Bea was born July 27, 1920 in Decatur, Georgia to Henry and Mettie Pritchard. She was the second of three children. In first grade, her husband knew she was the one for him when he saw her board the school bus. He always saved a seat for her on the bus. She married her childhood sweetheart during WWII, right before he left for the Philippines and later Japan. During that time, Bea worked as a beautician. One day, against her bosses instructions, Bea closed the beauty shop early and invited her co-workers to go see the movie stars, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and Scarlett O'Hara (Vivian Leigh) attend the premiere of 'Gone With the Wind' in Atlanta.

Upon return from WWII, Bea and Joe lived in Forsyth, Georgia. Joe worked as an educator and Bea took care of the home and raised their two sons. Eventually, they moved back to the family farm in Decatur, Georgia. Life was full on the farm. Bea excelled in baking, sewing, homemaking, drawing and painting, and basically anything she desired to accomplish. She firmly believed in always making time for herself and her artistic and creative endeavors. The family were active members of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and later, the Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church. Bea was also an active member of the United Methodist Women's Group.

In her years as a widow, Bea enjoyed the many new friendships, and the trips they made to various locations in the United States, dinners out, performances, and time spent sharing life stories in the "party room" at her condominium building.

In the last decade of her life, Bea uprooted and moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia where she enjoyed life at Marshes Edge Retirement Community. But, most important to her, she was in close proximity to her son, Joe. Life was comprised of evening dinners with her newest set of friends, special outings with Joe and Cindy, pool time, exercise and art classes. One of her favorite activities was Bingo, of which she was a regular winner - much to her delight. She also enjoyed teaching the finer points of the dominos game "Chicken Foot' to anyone she could engage. On her 100th birthday, Bea was treated to a birthday parade, complete with revving motorcycles, cars covered in signs and balloons, and well wishes. A momentous occasion made more special by these thoughtful and caring friends. It was a highlight of her year!

Following health issues in 2016, Bea again moved to what was to be her final home on earth. She moved down the street from her son and daughter in law in Brunswick, Georgia. With the assistance of family and many personal caregivers, Bea's remaining years were enriched beyond measure. Bea enjoyed the interactions, conversations, favorite tv shows, games, puzzles and old movies shared with those that surrounded her. The family is forever grateful for the love, care and individualized attention that was provided for Bea by her physicians, and primary personal caregivers over the past years. (Lisa Hall, Kim Quick, Sonya Price, Jamie Wood, Wendy Fitting, Chantal Wrice, Ebonie Collins, Pearl Hollis, Faye Potter, Mandy Gosser, Brittany Carter Lee, Kristen McLeod, Jessica O'Berry, RN Monica Colquitt). They were best friends and family to Bea.

The last days of Bea's life would not have been as comfortable without the skilled professionals from Hospice of the Golden Isles. They provided superior medical care for Bea, as well as emotional care and invaluable support to the family.

A graveside service will be held at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Decatur, Georgia, officiated by Reverend Frank Windom of Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to either Hospice of the Golden Isles (www.hospice.me) or Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church (www.avondalepattilloumc.org).