Mrs. Helen Perrin Bowen, 97, of Lake City, SC, died March 20, 2013. Born June 25, 1915, in Union, SC, she was a daughter of the late George C. and Helen Littlejohn Perrin.

Mrs. Bowen was a graduate of Winthrop College and later went on to teach school in Lake City. She was an active member of Lake City First Baptist Church.

Those who were close to this kind, gracious and grateful lady called her "Mamma Helen". Her life reflected her Christianity, serving family and others and doing for those less fortunate. While in Lake City, she was known to have exercised each morning of her life and is remembered for placing newspapers on people's front porches every morning during her walks around Lake City.

She was dearly loved by those who survive her including her daughter, Jane Bowen Clarke and husband, Joseph Walker Clarke, of Columbia; son, Kenneth Edward Bowen and wife, Lois Ann Graham Bowen, of Lake City; grandchildren, J. Walker Clarke, Jr., and wife, Dina, of Pawley's Island, Edward Samuel Clarke and wife, Andrea, of Columbia, Helen Perrin Clarke Adams and husband, Forester, of Augusta, GA, James (Jim) Kenneth Bowen and wife, Marci, of Boiling Springs, David Littlejohn Bowen, MD of Columbia, Thomas Graham Bowen of Columbia; great grandchildren, Helen Jordan Clarke, J. Walker Clarke, III, Kay Rivers Clarke, Samuel Sumpter Clarke, Helen Ellsworth Clarke, Forester Bailey Adams, Jr., Joseph Walker (Jack) Adams, Jane Sutton Adams, Parker James Bowen, and Ella Hendricks Bowen.

Mrs. Bowen was the devoted wife of Mr. Edward C. Bowen, deceased, and the last member of her family having been preceded by her sister, Ida Abercrombie, and brothers, Kenneth, Tom, and Clarke Perrin.

The funeral service for Mrs. Bowen will be held at eleven o'clock, Saturday, March 23, at Lake City First Baptist Church, conducted by The Rev. Shane Patrick. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held in the church's social hall at ten o'clock, prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Lake City First Baptist Church, PO Box 820, Lake City, SC 29560. Shives Funeral Home of Columbia is assisting the family.

The family would like to thank the staff of Florence Methodist Manor and NHC Lexington, and the Caris Healthcare hospice team.