Mrs. Mabel Douglas Bowen, 109, formerly of 462 Lockland Ave., died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001, at Salemtowne.

She was born Dec. 23, 1891, in Yadkin County, daughter of the late Thomas S. and Fannie Wilson Douglas.

Mrs. Bowen was a lifelong member of First Christian Church and a graduate of Salem College, Class of 1912. She graduated as valedictorian of her class and could recite most of the valedictory address she gave at graduation.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Gray Bowen Sr.; a son, Jesse G. Bowen Jr.; two daughters, Sophia Bowen Clay and Peggy Bowen Leight; a son-in-law, George Staples Leight Sr.; a grandson, William Bowen Leight; three brothers, Albert N. Douglas, G. Wilson Douglas and Thomas S. Douglas. Surviving are a daughter, Sara Bowen Gibbs and husband Dr. Stuart W. Gibbs of Gastonia; a daughter-in-law, Marion Davis Bowen of Winston-Salem; a son-in-law, David Clay and wife Ann of Salisbury; grandsons Dr. George Staples and wife Pam Leight Staples of Durham, Stuart Wynn Gibbs Jr. and wife Cindy of Greenville, S.C., Douglas Bowen and wife Pam of Winston-Salem, Gray Bowen and wife Renee of Dallas, Texas, and William Derek Leight of Chapel Hill; granddaughters Dr. Melanie Anne Leight of Charlottesville, Va., Kristin Louise Leight of Boston, Mass., Ann Blatzer and husband Bruce of Columbus, Ohio, Gail Parker and husband Dr. Byron Parker of Laurens, S.C., Penny Shields and husband Paul of Sanford, Nancy Davis Bowen of Greensboro, Mary Bowen Wood and husband Charles of Asheville, Colin Walker and husband Ray of Atlanta, Ga., Julia Newsom and husband Edward of Atlanta, Dr. Louise Clay of Florence, S.C., and Ginny Young and husband Robin of Greensboro; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Christian Church with the Rev. James Cobb