Alice Marie (Fite) Bowen, 98, of Wichita Falls, Texas, formerly of Holdenville, Oklahoma, passed away December 11, 2018, at Presbyterian Health Care Center in Wichita Falls. Marie was born May 8, 1920, in Yeager, Oklahoma to John Earl and Lyda (Murrell) Fite. She attended school at Pecan Grove, Yeager, and Holdenville before leaving school to care for her younger siblings during her mother's illness. On May 1, 1943, Marie married Homer Ray Bowen in Holdenville and began her life as a pastor's wife spanning 53 years until Ray's death on September 10, 1996. As a pastor's wife, Marie served faithfully in many capacities including working with children and youth, teaching women's Sunday School classes, and, her true passion, directing Women's Missionary Union (WMU) groups studying and supporting missions around the world. In June, 1980, Ray and Marie retired from the pastorate and went on to serve as house parents for 5 years with the Oklahoma Baptist Children's Home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, guiding the lives of even more children.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; infant sister, Velma Fite; and three brothers: John Fite, Jr., Clifford Fite, and Wayne Fite. She is survived by her children: Alice Reeves and husband, Wayne, of Rock Hill, SC; Don Bowen of Norman, Oklahoma; Beth Crane and husband, Tom, of Wichita Falls; Tim Bowen and wife, Robin, of Durant, OK; and Jeanne Smith of Holdenville; by her sisters: Frances Jo Langford of Newcastle, OK and Maxine Bowen of Harrah, OK; and by 20 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Holdenville, with Rev. Tim Bowen and Rev. Terry Dennis officiating. Burial followed in the Holdenville Cemetery with Rev. Robby Bowen officiating. Afterwards, a time of visitation with the family was held at the church. Pallbearers were Marie's grandsons.

Memorials can be made to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children or to Global Giving Fund of First Baptist Church, Holdenville.