Patricia Nelms Bowers

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

Patricia was born in Jackson, MS 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 Herrington in Jackson, and remained close to them until their deaths.

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

Patricia’s greatest loves were animals, (especially dogs, of which 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, grandparents Vernon “Coon” and Alberta “Dottie” Herrington of Jackson, MS, grandfather Alvin Wright of Utica, MS, and the father of her children Joe Nelms, Sr. of Columbia, SC.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Tammy and Ernie Lockhart of Kingsport, TN, daughter Wendy Nelms Harless (Bob) of Johnson City, TN, son Joe Nelms, Jr. (Rebecca) of Kingsport, TN, grandchildren Caleb Harless, Joseph Harless, Samuel Harless, Austin Nelms (Van), and Holly Nelms Viers, and five great grandchildren.

Special thanks to the staff of Christian Assisted Living, especially the Memory Care Unit CNA’s, for their excellent and loving care of “Ms. Pat” during her last and most difficult years. Words cannot express our gratitude.

Bob and Wendy would like to express their appreciation to the following for their help, advice, and support during Patricia’s illness: Dr. Eric Harman and staff (Kingsport); Dr. Kyle Colvett and staff (Johnson City); Les Wright and staff (Edward Jones, Kingsport); Tyler McEwen (Foundation Realty Group); Kathleen Morris and Amy Sentell (Fowler, Baker and Shade Elder Law, Johnson City); Tim and Pat Cole; Bob and Wendy’s co-workers for allowing them time off to sit with Pat, take her to appointments, etc.; Grace Fellowship Church (Johnson City); Caleb, Joseph and Sam Harless; and all the nurses from Gentiva Hospice.

Additionally, Joe wishes to extend a special thanks to all those who offered support from the early days of Pat’s illness, before assisted living, and their continued assistance through the years. These include his family, especially Rebecca Nelms, Holly Nelms Viers, and Austin, Van, Asia, Mai, Nathan and Zayn Nelms, along with his Eastman coworkers and countless other friends who served as an invaluable support network.

Per Patricia’s wishes, there will be no funeral. A private memorial service will be held in Beaufort, SC. Memorial contributions may be made in Patricia’s name to Beaufort County Animal Services, P.O. 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; Grace Fellowship Church Benevolence Fund, 2314 S. Greenwood Dr., Johnson City, TN 37604; or Christian Assisted Living, 213 University Pkwy., Johnson City, TN 37604.