Committal
Alice Jane Bowers Greene, 89, of Grace Ridge, Morganton, NC, died Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Born in Morganton, NC on October 29, 1935, she was the only child of the late Tuxie D. Bowers and Myrtle Berry Bowers.
She graduated from Morganton High School in 1954 and continued her education at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jane was a homemaker for her family, community volunteer and an officer of Bowers-Greene Motor Co Inc., the business her parents started.
A member of First United Methodist Church where she served as a 3rd grade Sunday School Teacher, Women’s Circle Chairman and member of the Administrative Board. She was a Girl Scout Leader for 8 years, Brownie, Junior, Cadet and Senior to a group of girls who gave her the name “Mama Jane” which is the endearing name she is called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A charter member of the Quaker Meadows Garden Club, The Morganton Service League and a volunteer teacher at Mountain View Play School. While a member of the Junior Women’s Club Jane was the chairperson of the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. During this time, the club first began relaying babies from Asheville to Greensboro. Jane enjoyed this so much, she took several infants all the way to Greensboro rather than relay them through Statesville.
Jane served 20 years on the Board of Directors of Southmountain Children’s Homes, twice as chairperson. Jane also served on the Burke County Morehead Selection Committee.
Jane was recognized in 1969 as one of Morganton’s Outstanding Young Women of America for her efforts to help others.
Providing a loving home extended far beyond her husband, John, children Teresa and Johnny. Upon hearing the need for a summer foster family for a 10-year boy who was totally deaf and blind who resided at Perkins School for the Blind in Boston MA “Mama Jane” commissioned her home and family in Morganton as Gene’s home. Jane was effortless in making the two summers Gene spent in Morganton a highlight being part of a loving family and an opportunity far different than his institutional life.
Jane will always be remembered for her passion for work in her yard or even anyone else’s that allowed her. Day lilies, azaleas, redbud and dogwoods were among her favorites. She found a purpose for everything, each stone, volunteer seedlings, and the last bucket of mulch.
All of her grandchildren enjoyed sharing their special memories of time spent at her Little Red Schoolhouse in Blowing Rock. Debating if an oatmeal cookie could be improved by toasting, drinking Russian tea, or enjoyment of building puzzles from beginner toddlers to 1000-piece jigsaws.
Alice is survived by her husband, John D. Greene, Sr.; daughter, Teresa Greene Norman (Dan); son, John D. Greene, Jr. (Connie); grandchildren, Ashley N. Smith (Jeff), Lydia N. DuMont (Tyler), James R. “Jim Bob” Norman (Kenia), Ben C. Norman (Tiffany); Haley Marie G. Williams (Drew); and Kerri G. Terry (John Paul); great-grandchildren, Jacob, Daniel, Cam, Lilah, Freedom, Silas, Bennett, Weston, Evelyn Jane, Andrew Marie (Annie), John Anderson, and Miles Drew.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, January 20, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Morganton. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southmountain Children and Family Services (southmountain.org/donate) or to First United Methodist Church’s Building Preservation Fund (morgantonfumc.org/give).
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Tribute Wall
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It was a great honor to work under the guidance & support of Jane while she served on our Board at Southmountain. She truly loved the agency & our mission but most of all the children & families we served. It was an even greater honor, however, to be her friend. Janet & I have you all in our prayers. Chris Jernigan
We are sending our thoughts and prayers to everyone during this sorrowful time. "Guzzer" and I, both, have fond memories of Miss Jane from childhood. May the memory of such a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead. with love, Beth and Iverson Riddle
John, Teresa, Johnny, and family, I am so sad to hear about Jane and sorry that you are navigating this huge loss. I will always remember her warmth and kindness, infectious laugh, and sending the best birthday cards when I was growing up. She had a tremendous heart so it always struck me as fitting that a single child went on to have such a large family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I'm so thankful I got to know Mrs. Greene just a little. What a wonderful testimony of a life well-lived. May Mr. Greene and the family always cherish these precious memories!
It was an honor to get to know Ms. Jane. The love that she and John showed to each other would make anyone get the warm fuzzy feeling inside. My heart goes out to the family, but remember Gods promise you will see her again someday. She is in heaven planting her own garden to share.
Dearest “Big John”, Johnny and Teresa, I have so many fond memories and so much love for you folks…”Big John” and Jane are present in some of my earliest memories of living in Chapel Hill. Jane was the kindest and sweetest lady and she was present in so many facets of my young years - the BEST Brownie and Girl Scout leader, never making anything seem tedious. And such a dear friend to my mother…I know Mom will greet her with a warm hug and loving smile - Dad, too. Please know you are all in my heart and prayers…wishing Jane peace, light and love in her journey. Love, “Rooney”
To: The Greene Family My Maternal Grandfather, Rev. James Burton Reid, was the Principal/Teacher of the "Little Red Schoolhouse" in Blowing Rock. When there was an article about it in The News Herald, I contacted Mrs. Greene to ask about the location of it, as my husband and I had looked for it, not knowing exactly where it was. Not only did she tell me where it was, but came to my office one day with a written note telling me directions to it and telling me the story of how you all had bought and restored it. She was such a beautiful, kind, and endearing woman. I actually found her note just a few weeks ago going through some "treasures" I have. I'm so glad to read how much the schoolhouse meant to your family. My Papa Reid passed away at age 36 from typhoid fever, two months before my Mother, Jimmie Burton Reid Smith, his youngest child, was born. So, the picture our family has of him, with his students in front of the Little Red Schoolhouse is also a "treasure", as was your wife, Mother, and Grandmother., a Treasure. May God bless and keep you in your great loss. My sincere condolences, Judy Smith Norville.
Tom and I were blessed to spend time with Jane and John at NCADA events. She was such a lovely lady. John is such a kindhearted dear man. I am so sorry for his loss as well as the entire family. God bless everyone. We love you, Lynn Burton
Aunt Jane, May God welcome you into his loving arms as a good and faithful servant. Thank you for the love and care you extended to me and my family through the years. I love you.