Bowers, 86 WORTON - Mary Helen Smith Bowers passed away on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 at the home of her special niece and nephew, Brenda and Harold 'Bud' Brown of Still Pond, following a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Bowers was born on May 14, 1926 near Chestertown, daughter of the late J. Earl Smith and Lola Carter Smith. After her graduation from Chestertown High School in 1943 she began her career as a telephone operator with the former C & P Telephone Company in Chestertown. She was promoted to Assistant Chief Operator and continued to work for the telephone company after it became Bell Atlantic and later Verizon, retiring after 40 years of service. She later worked as a secretary part-time at the Tidewater Trader, in Chestertown for 20 years. She was an active member of Salem United Methodist Church of Fairlee and was very dedicated to the Sunday school having received 50 years of perfect attendance pins. She taught Sunday school and served as its superintendent for a number of years. She picked up many children each Sunday and brought them to Sunday school with her. Her other memberships included the Telephone Company Pioneers and Life member of Millington V.F.W. Post 652 Ladies Auxiliary. She had a special wit and cheerful personality that made people enjoy being around her. Many knew her by her nicknames Minnie and Aunt Minnie. Mary Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas H. Bowers in 2012; a daughter, Barbara Lynn Bowers in 1969; two sisters, Ann S. Biddle and Elevian S. Burris; and a brother, William T. Smith. She is survived by four sisters, Virginia S. Gill and Sue S. Hadaway both of Annapolis, Doris S. Plummer and Pearl S. Plummer both of Chestertown; two brothers, James E. Smith of Rock Hall and Charles E. Smith of Chestertown; and many nieces and nephews whom she enjoyed. Friends may call on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 from noon to 1 p.m. in Salem United Methodist Church, 23100 Old Fairlee Rd. Fairlee, MD, where the funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Chester Cemetery, Chestertown. Memorials may be offered to the Salem United Methodist Church in her memory. Arrangements by Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech www.galenafuneralhomeofsls.com