Nell Tyner Bowen

Nell Tyner Bowen, aged 97, of Athens, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026. She was born on January 6, 1929, in Augusta, GA, to Rev. Grover F. Tyner, Sr. and Nellie Whelchel Tyner. Nell attended schools in both Augusta and Jackson, GA, before graduating from Tift College (now Mercer University) in 1949, where she studied music and English. She continued her education at the School of Church Music at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where she met I. W. Bowen, III, a doctoral student. They married in 1952 and relocated to Forsyth, GA, when he accepted a teaching position at Tift College.

Nell devoted herself to roles as a homemaker, piano teacher, minister’s wife, and servant of God. She taught piano for over six decades in Forsyth and Barnesville, instructing more than 500 students during her career. Active in the Georgia Music Educators Association, Nell was certified to judge piano festivals across the state. She frequently played the organ or piano and served as Woman’s Missionary Union Director at churches led by her husband. Between 1970 and 1975, Nell was President of Georgia WMU and contributed numerous articles to WMU and Southern Baptist Convention publications, also authoring six books for WMU Mission Studies. She served two terms as a Director of the SBC Home Mission Board (now NAMB) and twice held the office of vice-president of the Georgia Baptist Convention.

Nell was a woman with strong convictions whose faith was steadfast and love for her family was unconditional. She enjoyed teaching and continued to teach Sunday School and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes after moving to assisted living. Her love of music never wavered as she played piano for church services at her homes. One of her true passions was playing games and she was fiercely competitive. No matter the game or who she played, she was in it to win it.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Dr. I. W. Bowen, III; her brothers Ray Tyner of Albany, GA, Dr. Grover Tyner, Jr. of Decatur, GA, and Thera McElmurray of Lexington, SC. Surviving family members include her children, Dr. Paul Bowen and his wife Barbara of Clemson, SC, and Brenda Neisler and her husband Dr. Deck Neisler of Athens; grandchildren Ashlea Neal (Nick), Ty Bowen (Alexis), Ellyn Bowen (fiancé Brain Holst), Andrew Neisler (Ben Hobbs), and Justin Neisler; as well as great-grandchildren North Neal, Hope Neal, Tripp Bowen, and Camryn Bowen.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at First Baptist Church, Forsyth, GA. A private burial will take place beforehand. Friends and family are invited to gather in the church fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bowen-Tyner Scholarship Fund for the Tift College of Education at Mercer, Mercer University Advancement Office, 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, GA 31207, or to Russellville Baptist Church – Lottie Moon Offering, 111 Russellville Rd., Forsyth, GA 31029.

A special thanks to the Manor Lake Assisted Living staff and Inspire Hospice team for their loving, compassionate care.

Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express your condolences.

Monroe County Memorial Chapel, 86 W. Main Street, Forsyth, GA 31029 has charge of the arrangements.