Etta Mae Youmans

It is sad to share that Etta Mae Bowen Youmans passed away Saturday, August 29, 2020. An avid gardener, she was a joy to be with and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Etta Mae was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Luke Youmans; parents, Leona & Charley Bowen; grandson Paul Johnson, IV; sister Barbara Jean Lee and brothers Bob Bowen and Buddy Bowen.

Survivors include her children, Dick Youmans (Memphis) and Pam (Paul) Johnson (Harrison); grandchildren, Megan Youmans (Memphis), Ardis Johnson Zeleznak (Signal Mountain) and Stuart Johnson (Harrison); and great grandchildren; Gracie Jackson, Aubree Jackson, Autumn Jackson (Memphis), David Zeleznak and Thomas Zeleznak (Signal Mountain). She is also survived by 6 siblings: Bill Bowen, Louise Johnson, Linda Bowen, Brenda Crumbley, Debbie Jacobs and Susan Bowen; an aunt Phyllis Earnest; and an uncle Tommy Bowen.

Etta Mae was born in Etowah, TN. As a teenager she moved with her family to Stockbridge, GA. The oldest of 10 children, she helped her parents both on the farm and in caring for her younger siblings. In 1951 she married Luke Youmans and moved to Atlanta where she delighted in raising her 2 children. When they started school, she went to work at Rich’s department store. She also worked with the Gerald Rafshoon advertising agency on Jimmy Carter’s Presidential campaign. The major part of her career (20 years), however, was spent as a secretary and administrative assistant at Oak Grove United Methodist Church where she had become a faithful member in 1966. In 2012 she chose to move to Harrison, TN to be closer to Pam and her family, and where she made new friends who dearly loved her.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to: Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur, GA 30033.