Thelma Jean Bowen Britton, 83, passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee.  She was born on January 15, 1935 to Eugene Henry and Vessie Lillian Jones Bowen in East Stone Gap, Virginia.  On November 26, 1959 she married Johnny Mac Britton in Appalachia Virginia.

She was predeceased in death by her husband, Johnny Britton as well as her parents Eugene and Vessie Bowen; brother Russell Veston Bowen; sister-in-law Janice Bailey Bowen and brother-in-law Kenneth G. Salyers.

She is survived by her sister, Reida Ferne Bowen Salyers; as well as multiple nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, Denise Gavin and her husband Kevin, Randolph Salyers and his companion Ginny Hilliard, Amy Ady and her husband Marc, Beth Victory and her husband Tim, Bradley Bowen, Sarah Dunback, Kim Willig and her husband Zach, Matthew Ady, Lauren Kirby and Andrew Ady, as well as five great-great nieces and nephews.

Thelma retired from the State of Tennessee Department of Education where she worked as an administrative secretary for more than 30 years.  Thelma was a member of First United Methodist Church in Johnson City, Tennessee.  Thelma enjoyed playing the piano and tending to her beautiful rose garden throughout her life.  She was a beloved aunt to multiple generations of nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly as will her sister and lifelong best friend Reida Salyers.

Visitation will be from 11:00 until 1:00 at Monte Vista Memorial Park on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with funeral services to be held at the chapel at Monte Vista immediately following the visitation.  Pallbearers are Randolph Salyers, Bradley Bowen, Kevin Gavin, Marc Ady, Tim Victory, Matthew Ady, and Andrew Ady.  Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the East Tennessee State University or the First United Methodist Church of Johnson City, Tennessee.