ST. SIMONS ISLAND — Ola Earle Crandall Folker Bowers, 98, died Friday, September 9, 2022 at Vitality Living Frederica on St. Simons Island, Georgia, after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Bowers was born February 4, 1924, in Waynesville. She was the daughter of the late Frank R. Crandall and the late Ola Rebecca Braddock. She was also predeceased by two husbands, James Edward Folker Sr. and Ralph Willard Bowers.
Mrs. Bowers is survived by a son, James Edward Folker Jr. (Cherie) of Edgefield, S.C.; a daughter, Katherine Folker Hamilton (Tony) of Darien; and was “Gigi” to a granddaughter, Amanda Stephens Butler (David) of Brunswick; a grandson, Gabriel Griffin Miller of Edgefield; great-grandchildren, Victoria Butler Beasley (Mason), Randall David Butler, Rebecca Faye Butler, Jeffrey Michael Butler, Caden Michael Butler, Canon David Butler, Brian Richard Johnson, Arianna Grace Miller, and Liam James Miller.
Mrs. Bowers was a 1942 graduate of Glynn Academy and worked at First National Bank. After marrying Jimmy Folker and moving to Darien, she was a longtime teller and bookkeeper at the Darien Bank, now Southeastern Bank. Mrs. Bowers was also a member and officer in the Brunswick chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for many years.
She never met a stranger and would greet visitors at the door in her apron, fresh from cooking and washing dishes. She remodeled her home on The Ridge so she could have a better marsh view from the kitchen.
She was the last of 12 Crandall children and her siblings operated businesses in Brunswick, including Glynn Wholesale Building Material, Crandall Hardware, Arco Hardware, and Bradham Cabinet Shop.
A graveside service will be held today (Wednesday, September 14) at 10 a.m., at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick with Chaplain Rob Kestler officiating.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the family.
