Carrie Elizabeth DeVore Bowdon, a resident of Patagonia since 1967, died peacefully on October 19, 2023, in Tucson. Carrie was born in Toledo, Ohio, November 28, 1939, to Lee Harper DeVore and Bertha Lee Crane. 

She moved to Tucson as a young child and graduated from Amphi High School. She met and married Lawrence Allen Fortney and they had three children – Larry (Leslie) Fortney, Jr., Tammy (Richard) Joyce and Melissa (Gary) Wright. 

Known as “Tootie” to family and close friends for her entire life, she and Larry moved their family to Harshaw, AZ where they lived in the historic James Finley house, on the Hale Ranch, for just under a year until housing became available in Patagonia. 

Carrie was very involved in her children’s schooling, chaperoning every school function and decorating many lovely cakes for school events. She was chosen by the PUHS class of ’77 to accompany them to Disneyland for their senior trip. She served as school board president and was an active and beloved member in the local church. 

As a grandma, she loved attending her grandchildren’s school and extracurricular activities, even earning a Best Pep Talk award by the Nogales Apache Volleyball team. Carrie married her soulmate, Carl Bowdon, in March of 1980 and they together enjoyed their blended family and many friends for more than 40 years. 

They deeply loved and cherished their grandchildren – Ryan (DeeDee) Lemons, Ruben (Jaz) Cordova, Josiah (Elizabeth) Lemons, Mariela (Justin) DiLeone, Julia Cordova, Delilah Bowdon, Madison Vines, Shannon (Greg) Smith and Ramon Morales, and their great-grandchildren Olivia, Jackson and Nathaniel. 

Carrie is preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl, grandson Jason Fortney, stepson Brent Bowdon, siblings Charles (Gloria) DeVore, Joan (Mickey) Fetsko, Donald (Carol) DeVore and Sandra Lee Ramer. She is survived by her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, beloved sister-in-law Carol, cherished daughter-in-law Denise, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Carrie’s children have chosen to hold a double service for Carrie and Carl on Saturday, Oct. 28th, 1:30 pm, at the Sonoita Bible Church. Cake and cookies will be served afterwards in the church hall. Interment will be private at a later date.