Zeph Mcleod Bowman

Zeph McLeod Bowman passed away Sunday morning, March 30, 2014 at the JCMC following a brief illness. She was the daughter of Zeph McLeod Bowman and Adam B. Bowman. Zeph graduated from SHHS in 1947 and then attended Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Miss. In 1954, Zeph was a proud graduate of Louisiana State University where she was active in student affairs and president of her sorority. In 1962, Zeph received a Masters degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Tennessee. She then returned to Johnson City where she worked at the Mountain Home VA hospital for 2 years. Zeph was then employed in Leesburg, VA at Leesburg Speech Pathology Clinic. While there, she worked with a two-year-old hearing impaired toddler, whom she took as a foster child and later adopted. Zeph left Leesburg and accepted a position as director of the Philadelphia Speech and Hearing Clinic. Her motivation for taking this job was to make sure Adam received a good education. Zeph accepted a position with NHC-Colonial Hill when they merged with the Philadelphia Clinic. She and Adam then came to Johnson City. Zeph accomplished much in her profession. She was especially successful with many stroke patients. She was a life-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of JC. She traveled extensively and had many friends internationally, as well as locally. Zeph was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Jane B. Fort and brother-in-law, John Fort. Also by brother-in-law, Dr. Luther Kelly. Her son, Adam, passed away in 2005. Survivors include a sister, Susan B. Kelly of Charlotte, NC; nieces Mary Jane Fort of San Diego, CA and Mary Lou Leatherman (Mark) of Gastonia, NC. Survivors also include nephews Bowman Kelly (Twila) of Raleigh, NC; Tom Fort (Cindy) of Nashville, TN and Edwin Fort (Karen) of Atlanta, GA. Zeph is survived by grandchildren Jesse Graham Bowman, Adam Brayles Bowman, and Katherine Renee Bowman, all of the home. She is also survived by many cousins, including Dr. Calvin Morgan of Johnson City and by her beloved friend, Stella Benfield. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in the Wood Chapel at 2 pm on Thursday, April 3, 2014, with a visitation and reception following at the church.