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Hard work can help people develop character, motivate themselves, overcome hardships and achieve their goals. Hard work was one of the defining factors in Shirrell Bowers’ life. He also was a fun person, who enjoyed teasing, laughing, and in the words of one friend, “had a joyous attitude.”

Bowers died October 29 at the age of 76. He had lived all his life in the Blue Springs community of Carter County. The son of Hicks and Pearl Bowers, he was one of seven children – five sons and two daughters. Shirrell attended Blue Springs School, a three-room school, and went on to attend Unaka High School.

Bowers served two years in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. Because he had a brother already serving in Vietnam, Shirrell was sent to Germany, where he served a year.

Hard work defined Shirrell’s life as he worked for 47 years with Summers-Taylor Construction Co. Prior to that he worked for a company in Virginia and at Magnavox in Johnson City.

His wife, Judy, to whom he was married 57 years, mentioned that Shirrell enjoyed working around the house and in the yard. “He had days he did certain things, such as mowing. He was particular about his yard and wanted it to look neat at all times,” Judy said. “He enjoyed working outside, and often helped me with my flowers.”

One of Shirrell’s favorite pastimes was sitting on the front porch, especially on summer evenings. “It was one of his favorite places to enjoy the seasons and take in the view and to rest from his day’s work,” said Judy.

Both Judy and Shirrell enjoyed antiquing…if it was old, they liked it. “He enjoyed looking for old furniture, and I shopped for Holland glassware, especially salt cellars. We went antiquing almost every Saturday. He also enjoyed looking for model race cars, of which he had boxes in the garage,” Judy shared.

“He enjoyed watching NASCAR races and his favorite driver was Mark Martin,” she added.

In addition to antiquing, Sherrill enjoyed Tennessee girls basketball, and as long as he was able, he attended Unaka boys basketball games.

When it came to television, Shirrell enjoyed the old shows, especially westerns.

“He was not one for traveling. He liked to be close to home. Occasionally, we would go to Gatlinburg, usually antiquing,” Judy shared.

Shirrell enjoyed people and being with friends. “He had a nickname for everyone, and he loved to tease,” said Judy. 

The couple had no children of their own, but Shirrell enjoyed being around his nieces and nephews as well as Judy’s family. “They brought a lot of joy to him,” said Judy.

The nicknames didn’t stop with the nieces and nephews but extended to friends at Blue Springs Christian Church, where he was a long-time member. “If he missed church you knew he was sick,” said Judy.

Shirrell Bowers was a simple man, who loved life and enjoyed people, his church, and work. ”It didn’t take much to make him happy. He enjoyed being at home and just working in his yard. He liked family events such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, because they presented an opportunity to be with family,” Judy noted.

She shared that for the past four years, since Shirrell had been retired, he had gone to Burger Hut almost every morning for breakfast with friends. “He had a lot of friends,” Judy quipped.

Shirrell was laid to rest November 3 in the Pearl Bowers Cemetery in the Blue Springs community. 

To Shirrell Bowers, the most valuable antiques were old friends that he found in life and cherished.

 

.”Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, then succeed on purpose.” —G.K. Nielsonk, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” —Pelé