Jean I. Allred Bowden, 86, widow of Jerry David Bowden, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025, at her home in Versailles, Kentucky. She was born July 13, 1939, in Bolestown, Tennessee, to the late Dennis and Leona Boles Allred.

Jean graduated in 1958 from York Agricultural Institute (high school) at Jamestown, Tennessee, and completed a program at Draughon’s business school in Nashville. She was married to Jerry in 1960 and afterward worked as a secretary for a NASA contractor on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, where Jerry was stationed in the Army. After having her children, she later worked with the kindergarten program at Hillsboro Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville. When the family moved to Kentucky in 1977, Jean began over two decades of service as church secretary at Versailles Baptist Church.

Her family, friends, and anyone who met her know that Jean was a very caring and loving person. Frequent laughter was a staple in life and Jean’s laugh was contagious! She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Friday lunches with friends and sundaes in the park with her grandson were the highlight of her week in her last years. Reading, playing board games and cards, travel and helping others were frequent activities in her life. She was active in church and involved in many church groups. Her Sunday School class, the J.O.Y. Class, was very special to her. As much as anything, Jean also loved the Tennessee mountain views and air, to which she will be going home.

Jean will be lovingly remembered by her children, Ruth Bowden (Arlyn) Wilcox, Grundy Center, Iowa, David Bowden, Versailles, Martha Bowden (Russ) Brown, Johnson City, Tennessee, sister-in-law, Gloria Allred, Battle Creek, Michigan, grandson, Hunter Bowden, granddaughter, Alaina Brown, and nephews Dennis and Anthony Allred. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Donald Allred.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home, 161 Broadway St., Versailles, KY 40383.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 1:00 pm Central Time, at Fentress Memorial Gardens, 2088 Memory Garden Road, Jamestown, TN, 38556.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Versailles Baptist Church, 125 E. Green St., Versailles, KY 40383, or Journey Provisions, 560 Fielding Dr., Versailles, KY 40383. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and leave messages of condolence on Jean’s tribute wall at www.BlackburnandWard.com.