GAINESVILLE — A woman who spent 50 years in the retail business in Gainesville and was one of the first tenants at Sherwood Plaza has died.
Modree Grogan Bowers died Tuesday at the age of 89.
Bowers' parents bought Ronald’s, a clothing store in downtown Gainesville in 1948 and that's where she worked until she opened her own store, Modree’s, at Sherwood Plaza in 1965. Her store was one of the first to locate in the then-new shopping complex. Bowers retired in 1998.
Active in the community, she was a long time member of First Baptist Church on Green Street, an active Brenau University and University of Georgia alum, served as President of the Gainesville-Hall County Federated Music Club and enjoyed membership in the 20th Century Study Club. Throughout her career Bowers presented numerous fashion shows for community organizations and clubs. She also lectured in classes at Brenau on Fashion Merchandising.
The funeral will be at 10:30 Friday in the chapel at First Baptist Church.
