Delberta May Bowen, age 67, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Wednesday afternoon, February 19, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

      She was born September 5, 1957, the daughter of Dale E. and Ruth Ann (Perry) Bowen.

      Delberta, whose original name was Diane Gibson, took her new name when she was adopted by her parents.  She worked at North American Lighting in Flora for 13 years before becoming a manager at several local convenience stores.  Later in life, Delberta attended college, taking night classes alongside her daughter Becca and earning a place on the dean’s list.  She also became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and graduated from Frontier Community College in 2005 with a degree in Business Administration.  She owned and operated her own craft store, “Heart and Home Crafts” in downtown Flora.  Delberta could often be found with a bag of M&M’s or jelly beans and enjoyed crocheting, exploring thrift stores, and playing video games with her son Aaron.  Her biggest accomplishment of life was to be able to be called “Grammy” to her grandchildren.  

      She is survived by her husband: Sherrill Pruitt of Clay City; son: Aaron Pruitt of Flora; daughter: Rebecca Pruitt of Rinard: 4 grandchildren: Jaymin Pruitt of Flora, Quaid Pruitt of Flora, Maysen Gragert of Rinard, and Journey Gragert of Rinard; 2 sisters: Janet Graham of Effingham and Donna (Greg) Hartke of Louisville; and special friends Donna and Randy Payne of Xenia.

      She is preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers: Delbert “Bo” Bowen and Dan Gibson; and a sister Nanci Bricker.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Frank and Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  A visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the funeral home.  Private entombment will take place at North Freedom Cemetery, Noble.  Memorial donations are suggested to Oak Mound Church, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com