Barbara Alexander Hardaway Bowen
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Never a more kind or gentle soul have we lost than that of Barbara Hardaway Bowen. She was
born October 10, 1921 to Ansley Query and Anne De Alexander in Charlotte, N.C. She attended
Charlotte public schools and Carolina Business College and worked for Pyramid Life Insurance
before meeting a fellow actor in the Charlotte Little Theater, Richard E. Hardaway, Jr. They
were wed in December, 1944 and lived a charmed life together in Charlotte and then Cherry
Hill, N.J. before retiring to Southern Pines, NC. In Charlotte, she was a member of the
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
and served as a docent for the 1774 Rock House built by her great-great-great grandfather,
Hezikiah Alexander, signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration. Barbara and Dick were very active
in the First Baptist Church and later, the Providence Baptist Church. She lost her beloved
husband Dick in 1992 and later married Robert E. Bowen. Bob, a very kind and warm husband,
shared wonderful times with and took great care of Barbara until his death at the age of 98 in
2011. They enjoyed life immensely at Belle Meade Retirement Community and remained
regular members of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church. She continued to thrive in the
excellent care of the nurses and staff of St. Joseph of the Pines, celebrating her 99th birthday
just six weeks before suddenly passing from COVID-19 on December 2, 2020.
Barbara was preceded in death by her two husbands noted above, her brother Ansley
Alexander and sister Nancy Epps. She is survived by her nieces and nephews and their
families: Barbara Hardaway Murray(Houston, TX), Nancy Hardaway Lutz(Baton Rouge, LA),
Carey Hardaway(Lake Charles, LA), David Hardaway, M.D.(Hickory, NC) and Bill
Hardaway(Charlotte, NC), stepson M. John Bowen(Columbia, SC), stepson George Bowen(Old
Town, FL), and step-granddaughters, Julie Bowen Corbin(Old Town, FL), and Janet Bowen
Fowler(Cross City, FL) and their families.
Barbara was so loved for her sweetness, her kind heart and her ice blue eyes. Her quick wit had
you laughing with mirth. It was so pleasant to be in her company that it made you crave it. The
Alexander, Hardaway and Bowen families were so fortunate to have "Aunt Barbara" in their
lives. May God bless her soul.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is assisting the family. Following cremation, Barbara
Bowen's remains will be placed next to those of Robert E. Bowen at Pinelawn Memorial Park,
Southern Pines, NC and a portion placed next to those of her first husband, Richard E.
Hardaway, Jr. in Oak Hill Cemetery, Newnan, GA. A memorial service to celebrate the life of
Barbara Hardaway Bowen will be held in the future when allowable, prior to her one hundredth
birthday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brownson Memorial Presbyterian
Church, 330 South May Street, Southern Pines, NC 28387, or to one's favorite charity.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com