Ethell M. Stowers, 72, of Hiawassee, died July 18, 2011.

Born Aug. 22, 1938, to the late Weldon and Zona Mathis, she spent a large part of her life in Cumming and Dawsonville before moving to Hiawassee.

Mrs. Stowers was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church and was a loving mother and grandmother.

Her brothers, Murphy Mathis, John Mathis; sister, Kathleen Cantrell; daughter-in-law, Lisa Stowers; and nephew, Larry Cantrell, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Douglas Stowers of Hiawassee; daughters, Gayla Gay of Dawsonville, Kim Hutchison of Cartersville; sons, Paul Stowers, Joel Stowers, Jason Stowers, all of Dawsonville; grandchildren, Whitney Gay, Alex Gay, Evan Stowers, Eli Stowers, Erica Martin, Tyler Stowers, Shand Stowers; great-granddaughter, Caroline Grace Suggs; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at noon July 21 at the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Danny Bennett officiating. Interment followed in the Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.