Olivene Rose Bowery (née Lillie Olivene Rose) of Johnson City, TN peacefully passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025 after a brief illness at the age of 95.

Olivene was born in Dickenson County, VA on November 4, 1929 to her now deceased parents, Barney and Rita “Ellen” (Fletcher) Rose. She was the fourth child of ten: Fancy, John Henry, Elmer, Lillie Olivene, Kenneth, Jay, Carson, Nell, Norma, and Mary Jane, all of whom are now deceased. Her mother imparted to Olivene an early trust in Jesus Christ as her Savior, whom she loved throughout her life. 

In Dickenson County, Olivene attended Large Elementary School. Later she moved with her family to Kingsport, TN in 1940 at age eleven. As a teenager, Olivene worked at the Kingsport Press as a stitcher.  

After World War 2, she married James “Jim” W. Bowery in 1946, and they lived in the Kingsport area in the early years of their marriage, then later in Winchester VA, Rock Hill SC, Greenville SC, and Johnson City TN. Later Olivene resided in Abingdon VA, Bristol VA, and back to Johnson City, where she remained the rest of her life. 

Jim and Olivene had three children, Don, Carol, and Roy. She proved her love for her children throughout her life, eventually becoming their sole support. It was through her sacrificial commitment that all three children were able to earn master’s degrees and pursue successful professional careers and Christian vocations. Olivene’s saddest moment was losing her devoted daughter Carol to sudden illness in 2023.  

In 1958, Olivene began a long career of eventually managing Bolton Concrete Products, from which she retired after 37 years in 1994. She was well known in Johnson City in the construction industry and as a home renovator/builder. Her prized project was restoring a dilapidated Queen Anne home at 501 E. Watauga Ave. Her children often would find her “after work” on a ladder with hammer in hand and paint in hair.

She was an active member of several Baptist churches in Johnson City, teaching her children to love and serve the Lord. Her family often witnessed her quiet, Christian generosity to her relatives and strangers throughout her life. In her elderly years, Olivene had several offers to live with family, but she chose to live out her independence as best she could in her condo in Boones Creek, Johnson City. However, during those years, God provided her with three “angels” as dear friends and care givers: Sharon Hailey, Barbara Woodby, and Renee Whitehead. They maintained daily contact with her and sacrificed many hours lovingly caring for her needs. 

Olivene is survived by her two sons, Don (Mary Lou) and Roy (Judy); five grandchildren, Sara Johnson, Aaron, Cathy, Curtis (Ashley), and Nathan; five great grandchildren, Jace, Foster, Kinley, Sawyer, and Peyton; and Carol’s widower Ron Kimberlin. After a wonderful and long life, now Olivene is rejoicing in her eternal life with the Lord, her parents, siblings, and daughter Carol. 

Olivene’s service will be Saturday, June 7, 1:00-3:00 pm (visitation at 1:00 and service at 2:00) at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga St, Kingsport, TN 37660. Since Olivene requested cremation, there's no grave service. Family and friends will be invited to join us for a dutch treat dinner that afternoon at 4:00 pm at Olive Garden, 1919 N Eastman Rd, Kingsport, TN. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Olivene’s memorial account at Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse for US Disaster Relief (bit.ly/olivene). Thank you! 

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Bowery family.