Prior to Memorial Day, one county native did her part to assist veterans across the region, while taking time out to remember a fallen family member.

Wilda Bowers Newman, joined by her husband, Edward Newman, established a memorial fund on Sunday, May 27, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Elizabethton to remember her father, Samuel Bowers, and to give back to local veterans in the community.

“We think it is fitting that the fund be used to extend a helping hand to those in need,” Wilda said in a statement issued to the Elizabethton Star. “Staff Sgt. Bowers, like many young Americans at that time, reached across the ocean, and gave his life. In his honor, we would like to reach across the community, to help those in need for their life and liberty.”

Bowers valiantly served his country during World War II and was a casualty during the conflict.

The Samuel Murray Bowers Veterans Memorial Fund at St. Thomas Episcopal Church will be open to assist veterans and families of veterans across the community, and be opened for the public to make contributions to during the year.

While Sunday’s announcement provided a way to give back to local veterans, the Newmans also established a separate fund just weeks ago to benefit educational and community-based initiatives in Carter County and Elizabethton.

The Eunice and Frank Carr Annual Memorial Fund for Democracy, Carter County Democratic Party, was announced during an event an event at the Bonnie Kate Theater, sponsored by the Tri-County Democrats and Carter County Women’s Club, for gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean and U.S. Congressional First District House candidate Marty Olsen.

Eunice and Frank Carr, Wilda’s mother and step father, were active in education, and that spilled over to their daughter’s future profession.

Wilda attend Gap Creek Elementary and Happy Valley High School and went on to attend the University of Tennessee, East Tennessee State University, and postsecondary school in Maryland. Wilda retired from Johns Hopkins University – Applied Physics Laboratory after 35 years and established her own company – Knowledge Associates Resources, LLC.

The Newmans have settled in Maryland but have been regularly active in the Elizabethton and Carter County communities.

Kristi Carr, chair of the Carter County Democratic Party, told the Elizabethton Star that the funds will go a long way in providing opportunities for community members to have assistance in their future endeavors.

To learn more about each fund, or to assist with either initiative, contact Carr at kcarr59@outlook.com or call (423) 297-5552.