Mary M. Stewart Fowler

It is with profound sadness that the family of Mary M. Fowler announces her
passing in Huntington, WV at the Emogene Dolin Hospice House. She left her
earthly life and entered into eternal life with her Lord and Savior on December
13th, 2023. Mary was born on September 12, 1936 in Kaylong, WV the daughter of
the late Wilbur Reuben and Frances Stewart of Mason, WV. She was preceded in
death by her older brother, Jack Stewart. The heavenly reunion with her brother,
parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles will be a joyous one.

Mary "Nana" was the beautiful center of her family's life. She found joy in being
surrounded by her loved ones during all the seasons of her life. She is survived by
her son, Tony Fowler (Kim) of Proctorville, OH and her daughter, Tammy Hovis
(Richard Watts) of Charleston, WV, her beloved brother Gary Stewart (Linda) of Pt.
Pleasant, and two dear cousins Susanna Fitzgerald (Paul) and Jim Stewart. Nana
delighted in her four grandchildren and was very involved in their lives as they
grew up. She left an irreplaceable impression on her four adult grandchildren Ryan
Hovis (Ashley-anne), Anne Hovis Moses (Michael) , Drew Fowler and Morgan
Fowler. The five great-grandchildren Allyanne Elizabeth Hovis, William Ryan Hovis,
Landon Jack Moses, Palmer Michael Moses and Charles Reuben Moses loved
visiting Nana's house, playing in her backyard gardens and painting pictures with
her. She was Aunt Mary to five nieces Missie VanMeter (Matt), Crystal Hendricks
(Chipper), Tiffany Preston (Chris) Jackie Byars (Scott) Lisa Crump (Paul), and their
families, along with the neighborhood children who were welcome to visit
anytime.

Miss Mary Stewart graduated from Wahama High School. She was honored to
serve her school as president of the student body and yearbook editor. Her high
academic marks earned her the distinction of being the Salutatorian of the Class of
1954. During her time as a White Falcon Mary was band president and head
majorette. After high school graduation she enrolled in the secretarial courses at
Mountain State Business College in Parkersburg. Mary maintained long friendships
with her classmates from both schools and enjoyed traveling with them and
attending class reunions each May.
As a resident of Pt. Pleasant for 67 years, Mary assisted in planning celebrations,
served on the Main Street Restoration Committee, maintained garden spaces and
promoted the arts. She has served as past president of the Tu-Endie-Wei garden
club and was actively involved in PTA, athletic and band boosters, boys scouts, girl
scouts and church activities as her children grew up. For nine years (1962-1971)
Mary served as the executive secretary of the Mason County Tuberculosis and
Health Association coordinating hospital admissions, arranging transportation,
conducting the Christmas Seal Campaign, and managing publicity for the
organization. In 1965 Mary was employed by Mason County Schools to supervise
the hot lunch program of the newly constructed Pt. Pleasant Junior High School.
During her six years as the school's financial secretary she enjoyed her interactions
with students and readily volunteered to chaperone dances, band trips, and escort
the ninth grade class trip to Washington, DC each spring.

In 1972 Mary accepted a job with The Athens Messenger. She was hired to
write feature stories of local interest, cover civic events, and weddings. Mary was
responsible for submitting her own photography and she began to carry her camera
everywhere she went.

It was after Tammy and Tony had careers of their own that Mary pursued her
dreams of traveling. At the age of 50 she began a six-year tenure as a travel
consultant for AAA Southeastern Ohio. In 1990 Mary accepted City National
Bank's offer to join their marketing department as the first and only director of the
People's Choice Travel Club. This program had a tremendous appeal to its
members. Mary was especially proud to have provided travel experiences to those
who otherwise may not have experienced the joy of traveling on their own. She
was an expert at handling the details necessary for a successful travel club and the
bank customers appreciated her friendliness and professionalism. For seventeen
years Mary planned and escorted each tour. Destinations ranged from one-day trips
to sporting events, dinner theaters, fairs and festivals as well as longer tours around
the United States, cruises and overseas travel. In January 2008 at the age of 72,
Mary opened her own business, Travel Time Tours, and worked from her kitchen
office. She worked tirelessly to acquire reservations, arrange schedules, hire bus
drivers, and accompany her travelers on more adventures. Travel friends became
an extended family. Mary loved to send and receive cards, notes and photos from
her travelers. Mary was generous in giving her time and attention to the people she
loved. She will be remembered fondly by those who knew her for her kindness and
ever-present smile.

Throughout her life Mary found joy in planting and arranging flowers. She
especially enjoyed working with her garden club members to landscape the city's
various flower beds. In recent years when the weather turned cooler, she spent her
time painting landscapes and floral bouquets.

A celebration of life and service of remembrance is being planned for 2:00 p.m
Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 615 Viand Street,
Pt. Pleasant, WV.

A private graveside service will be held for the immediate family at Kirkland
Memorial Gardens at a later date

In lieu of flowers a fund has been established at Ohio Valley Bank, Pt. Pleasant to
provide a college scholarship for a Wahama High School senior who plans to
pursue a degree in education.

The family is deeply grateful for the extraordinary care provided by the nursing staff
at St. Mary's Medical Center and the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House,
Huntington, WV.

Crow-Hussell Funeral Home has been entrusted with Mary's care and the care of
the family. You may offer condolences by visiting www.crowhussellfh.com.