Mrs. Connie Rue Bowen Osborne's Obituary
Connie Rue Bowen Osborne, age 88, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025.
An Alabama native, Connie was born on March 20, 1937 to John Marion Bowen and Thelma Buckner Bowen. She spent the majority of her life in the Town Creek community of Alexander City-a place that reflected her deep roots and enduring love for her family and hometown.
Connie had a gift for finding joy in simple things and creating beauty wherever she was. She was an avid gardener, growing an abundant variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and took great pride in nurturing her many gardens year-round.
She loved to cook-always from scratch-and her favorite summertime meal was a daily tomato sandwich, straight from her garden. A talented seamstress, Connie often made her own dresses and was always at the ready to help others with alterations.
She loved square dancing, line dancing, and bowling, spending much of her 50s on the dance floor and bowling well into her early 80s. Always on the go, she loved to travel, especially when it meant visiting her beloved daughter, Shell.
Connie worked for many years at Russell Mills Old Number 1, where her strong work ethic, friendly spirit, and reliability were well known and appreciated.
Connie loved people. She delighted in conversation, connection, and community, and she was known for her kindness, warmth, and good-tempered spirit. She was a true connector, bringing together generations of family across the Bowens, Buckners, and Osbornes, and she held those relationships close to her heart.
Connie was an active mother and devoted grandmother. She adored her children, granddaughter, and two great-grandchildren. She took great pride in being involved, present, and supportive, and she cherished her roles as Gran Gran and GG. She also deeply loved her many fur babies, who were a constant source of joy and companionship.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; the father of her children, Roy Nolan Osborne; and her daughter, Michelle “Shell” Osborne.
She is survived by her son, Bruce Osborne; her daughter, Brenda Osborne Coley (Temple); her granddaughter, Ann Coley Berkmeier (Will); and her great-grandchildren, William H. Berkmeier and Amelia Grace Berkmeier.
Connie will be remembered for her love of family, her delight in life’s simple pleasures, and her kind-hearted, always-on-the-go spirit. Her ability to find joy in everything she did will remain an inspiration to all who knew her.
A celebration of life to honor Connie will be held at a later date in 2026.
Memories and condolences may be shared at https://www.radneyfuneralhome.com.
Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Connie Rue Bowen Osborne.
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