REGISTER, Ga. -- Berton O’Neal Bowen, age 95, died peacefully on January 22, 2019, at the Ogeechee Area Hospice inpatient facility surrounded by his family and loved ones.
    Neal was born on January 18, 1924, in Register, Georgia, in the same home he and his wife later raised their two daughters and where he lived until his death.
    He was generous with his wit, his love, and as any neighbor can attest, his garden vegetables.
    He also found joy in church and was a member and deacon of Lower Lotts Creek Primitive Baptist Church.
    Neal often taught his loved ones through actions rather than words. “I’ve been preaching with my life for over 90 years,” he said recently.
    Neal graduated from Register High School in 1940. A devoted husband and beloved father, Neal farmed full-time and also worked as a soil conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture from the early 50s through the late 80s.
    And while Neal was bound through time to the land of his beloved farm, he found joy in the freedom of flying his small planes over Georgia.
    Neal is preceded in death by his five brothers and two sisters.
    Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Betty Hodges Bowen of Register; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy Bowen and James Gaddy of Pennsylvania and Karen and Bill Padgett of Kansas; four grandchildren, Evan Bowen-Gaddy, Taggart Bowen-Gaddy, Sarah Padgett and Michael Padgett.
    A visitation will be held 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2019, at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.
    The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2019, in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with Elder Jack Anderson and Elder Rick Stewart officiating. Interment will follow in Eastside Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lower Lotts Creek Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Robert F. Williams, 1034 Miller Street Extension, Statesboro, GA 30458; or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459.
    Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
    Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, January 24, 2019
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