Mary Elder Fowler

Mrs. Mary Elder Hicks Fowler, age 73, died Saturday, March 12, 2016. Born and raised in Gardner, Mrs. Fowler was a graduate of Martin High School, where she played basketball. She was crowned Miss Martin 1959.
Mrs. Fowler retired from The University of Tennessee at Martin after more than 30 years working in the campus bookstore. She continued to be an avid supporter of Skyhawks athletics, regularly attending home sporting events and hosting dinner for the athletes. She was a faithful and joyful servant to the congregation of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, of which she was a beloved member. She also enjoyed gardening and traveling with her husband and friends, having visited all 50 states.

Mrs. Fowler's greatest joy was her family. She is survived in life by her husband of 56 years, Larry Fowler; her son, Keith (Linda) Fowler of Martin, TN, and her daughter, Lori Rousch, of Little Rock, AR, as well as a sister, Ann (Franklin) Gardner, of Martin, TN. She adored her five grandchildren, Christopher, Rachael, and Emily Fowler, of Martin TN, Andrew (Carolyn) Rousch, Little Rock, AR, and Ryan (Brooke) Rousch, of Austin, TX; and was the proud great grandmother to Ezra Rousch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Mary Belle Elder Hicks, and her son-in-law, Randy Rousch.

The funeral service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Cate Cemetery. Officiating the funeral are Brother Mac McCaleb and Brother Wayne Perkins, with Rev. Franklin Gardner at the graveside. Pallbearers will be grandsons Ryan, Andrew, and Christopher; nephew Tyler Gardner and great nephew Stephen Penick as well as John Chester, Thomas Chester, and Conner Simpson. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at Murphy Funeral Home from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, or on Wednesday at he church 12:00 Noon until funeral time at 2:00 PM.

Memorials may be sent to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Building Fund.