Mary Elizabeth West, nee Bowers, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2019 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan due to complications of pneumonia. She was born November 5, 1932 at Howes Mill, Missouri to Otis and Lucy Wyman Bowers. Mary was united in marriage to Willard West and to this union four children were born.

Mary grew up in Crawford County and after high school and earning her hours to teach, she began teaching in a one-room school house. She later was a bookkeeper and a Deputy Sheriff in Crawford County, a position she was proud to have. Through the years, she spent many hours quilting, enjoying the outdoors whether gardening or tending to her many flowers.  She enjoyed bowling in the Steelville leagues and dancing.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Irvine Bowers; brother-in-law, Bill Lea; and granddaughter, Lacy.

She is survived by her four children, Steve (Jeannie) of rural Steelville, MO, Jenni (Greg) of Springfield, MO, Jim (Mary) of rural Steelville, MO and Bob (Loretta) of Cook Station, MO; sister, Dormalie Lea of Steelville, MO; one sister-in-law, Imogene Bowers of Cuba, MO; nine grandchildren, Drew, Jason, Susan, Candice, Wyatt, Josh, Kevin, Brian and Jason; fourteen great-grandchildren; other relatives; and friends.

Graveside services and inurnment were held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019 with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating in the Steelville Cemetery. Special music of "I'll Fly Away" was played and sung by Rev. Jerry Beers.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

In lieu of flowers: Steelville Cemetery
P.O. Box 33, Steelville MO