Carleen Newell Flowers

Carleen Flowers, age 94 of Albany, died peacefully on January 13, 2026 in Athens, Georgia. Born December 24, 1931 in Albany, Georgia, Carleen was the beloved only child of Carl Vernon and Jesse Hall Newell. A graduate of Albany High, Carleen attended Georgia State Woman’s College (now Valdosta State), where she joined Chi Omega and the college dance troupe. She completed her degree at Mercer University, where she was an active member of many student organizations. At Mercer, she met her husband, J. W. “Dub” Flowers, Sr. of Liberty County, and they were married in June 1953. They celebrated 60 years of happy marriage before his passing in July 2013. Carleen was a middle and high school educator and for over 30 years. She taught Math (and later, Computer Skills) in Warner Robbins, Cuthbert, Edison, and Albany. She inspired countless young people, many of whom kept in touch with her even after she retired. Carleen was a role model of Southern womanhood. She made it look easy to teach middle school, stew smothered dove or bake a 14-layer Mandy Cake, walk and pray with friends, can and freeze garden vegetables, organize Flowers Family Reunions, and still make time to play with her grandchildren and volunteer. In Albany, she generously and tirelessly served in organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma society for women educators, Garden Club, Woman’s Club, Phoebe Putney Hospital Mended Hearts, and Georgia Retired Teachers. At Sherwood Baptist, she taught and ministered to the senior ladies Vota Vita Sunday School class for over 25 years. She also used her math and computer skills to volunteer with the Tax-Aide program through SOWEGA Council on Aging. Carleen served God by serving people. In 2014, Carleen left her longtime hometown of Albany and moved to Athens to be near family. At her new place, St. Mary’s Highland Hills Village, she became known as “The Bread Lady” because she would greet every new resident with a fresh loaf of home-baked bread. She joined Beech Haven Baptist Church, where she sent out the weekly prayer letter for her Sunday School and continued to make new friends. Carleen left a legacy of faith that inspires her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. “Dub” Flowers, Sr., her daughter Margie, and her dear Hall cousins Dottie Herzog, Helen Cyganiewicz, and Joanne McKemie. She is survived by her daughter Leah Sowell (Greg) and son Wesley Flowers (Gina); grandchildren Rebecca Sowell Nichols (Dan), Stephen Sowell (Amanda), Anna Sowell Harrison (Scott), Will Flowers (Julia), and Rachel Flowers; great grandchildren James, Margarite, Ruthie, Jane Carleen, Ramsay, and Betsy; and many loved cousins, nephews, and nieces. The family would like to thank the Staff and Care Givers at Arbor Terrace of Athens and Agape Hospice of Clarke County for their love and tender care given to our Nana. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 16, 2026 at 1:00pm at Lord & Stephens West Funeral Home in Athens, Georgia, and on Saturday, January 17 at 2:00pm at Kimbrell Stern Funeral Home in Albany, Georgia. An informal visitation will follow both services. Arrangements will be made by Lord & Stephens Funeral Home in Athens and Kimbrell-Stern in Albany. www.lordandstephens.com https://www.kimbrellstern.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to Okefenokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes in memory of Carleen Flowers: https://www.okefca.org/donate

Carleen Newell Flowers

December 24, 1931 - January 13, 2026