Alice Jane Bowers Greene

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.