Patricia Nelms Bowers

Patricia Nelms Bowers stepped into eternity on Friday, August 7, 2026 after a long and horror-filled battle with dementia. She was 81 years old.

Patricia was born in Jackson, Mississippi on July 15, 1945 to Ruth Estelle Wright (Bales) and J.W. Stevison. She lived her early years with her beloved grandparents, Vernon and Alberta “Dottie” Herrington in Jackson and remained close to them until their deaths.

Patricia attended St. Dominic Catholic School, St. Dominic Church and Oakwood Forest Christian Church while living in Kingsport. She retired from Eastman Chemical Company in 2000 and spent the rest of her years doing exactly what she wanted to do. She spent many years in Beaufort, South Carolina, where she enjoyed riding her bright yellow bicycle, met her beloved friend, Sally Harkness, and joined Port Royal Baptist Church. Those were the halcyon years.

Patricia’s greatest loves were animals, especially dogs, and she rescued many during her retirement, chocolate milk, gardening, yard work, and the ocean.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Estelle Bales of Kingsport, TN and J.W. Stevison of Richton, MS; grandfather, Alvin Wright of Utica, MS; and the father of her children, Joe Nelms, Sr., of Columbia, SC and Kingsport, TN.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Tammy and Ernie Lockhard of Kingsport, TN; daughter, Wendy Nelms Harless (Bob) of Johnson City, TN; son, Joe Nelms, Jr. (Rebecca) of Kingsport, TN; grandchildren, Caleb, Joseph, and Samuel Harless and Austin and Holly Nelms; five great-grandchildren; and her best friend, Honey, (who now lives with her daughter).

Special thanks to the staff of Christian Assisted Living, 213 University Parkway, Johnson City, TN for their excellent loving care of “Ms. Pat” during her last and most difficult years. The family would also like to send a special thanks for their help, advice, and support to Dr. Eric Harman and staff, (Kingsport, TN), Dr. Kyle Colvett and staff, (Johnson City, TN), Les Wright and staff (Edward Jones, Kingsport, TN), Tyler McEwen (Foundation Realty Group), Kathleen Morris and Amy Sentell (Fowler, Baker, and Shade Elder Law, Johnson City, TN), Tim and Pat Cole, Wendy’s co-workers and Bob’s co-workers for their kindness and understanding which allowed us time off to sit with mom, take her to appointments, etc., Grace Fellowship Church (Johnson City, TN), Caleb, Joseph and Sam Harless for continuing to visit Granny when it became very upsetting and Damon Depew, Tim Wills and staff of Hamlett Dobson Funeral Home, and Gentiva Hospice.

Per Patricia’s wishes, there will be no funeral.

Memorial contributions may be made in Patricia’s name to Beaufort County Animal Shelter, PO Box 1228, Beaufort, SC 29901, The Bridge No Kill Shelter, 2061 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617, Port Royal Baptist Church, 707 Pinckney Blvd, Port Royal, SC, 29935, and/or, Grace Fellowship Church, 2314 S. Greenwood Dr., Johnson City, TN 37604.