Mrs. Virgie Lee Murphy Bowers, 86, of Frederick, died on Sunday, March 18, 2012, at her home. She was the loving wife of the late Melvin H. Bowers, Jr., who died in 1997. Born in New Market on August 17, 1925, she was a daughter of the late William Murphy and Maude Heffner Murphy Wachter. Mrs. Bowers was raised by her aunt and uncle, the late Marion R. and Helen I. Coleman. She and her husband operated a general store in Adamstown for eight years, before owning and operating the Sycamore Store east of Frederick, for 42 years, retiring in 1996. Virgie was a long time member of the St. Marks Lutheran Church, Doubs. As an accomplished seamstress, she had made robes for the youth choir and curtains for the Sunday School. Maintaining a lovely home and flower beds, caring for others in her home, working long hours in their business were a few of her special gifts. Virgie was a humanitarian. Surviving her are four children; Virginia "Jeanie" Wilbur and husband John, Delores "De" Thompson and husband Frank, Marion "Marty" Bowers and wife Beverly, and Helen "Pia" Rager and husband Joseph, 11 grandchildren; Diane Younkins, Susan Jensen, Jamie Petrosky, Noel Williams, Jason Michael, Tanja Rourke, Angela Williams, Brian Bowers, Katy Hanson, Adrienne Bowers and Kelly Bowers, 21 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren, half brothers and half sisters, Stanley Wachter, Ruth Mohler, Emory Wachter and Helen Fowler and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Evangeline Young. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 21m 2012, at 11:00 a.m., in the Etchison Memorial Chapel of the funeral home. The Rev. Dr. W. Philip Fogarty, will officiate. Interment will be in the Clustered Spires Cemetery, Frederick. Online condolences may be shared at keeneybasford.com.
