Shawnee resident Lelia Marie Fowler died Thursday at her home. She was 76.

Mrs. Fowler was born December 30, 1922, in Shawnee to Arthur and Minnie Reed Ellis.

She was adopted by D. L. and Amelia Turner in 1925 after the death of her mother.

She attended St. Benedict Catholic School, St. Mary's Academy at Sacred Heart and Mt. St. Mary's in Oklahoma City.

She became a licensed practical nurse and worked at the ACH Hospital and Shawnee Medical Center for many years. She also worked at several nursing homes before retiring in 1976.

She married Vernoy Robert Fowler on August 29, 1942, in Oklahoma City. They moved back to Shawnee in 1945.

She was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Altar Society and Golden Hearts.

Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Dena and Wallace Conn, Oklahoma City; Mary and Allan Anderson, Shawnee; Laura and Roger Rosencrans, West Palm Beach, Florida; sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Katie Fowler, San Antonio, Texas; Mike and Kay Fowler, Oklahoma City; twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Jean Phillips, Oklahoma City; Orbie Hart, Abilene, Texas; Vergie Davis, Raleigh, North Carolina; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by both sets of parents; her husband, in 1991; three brothers, a sister; three grandsons, James Anthony Tibbs, Cleo James Tibbs Jr., and John Michael Fowler Jr.; and several nephews.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. today at St. Benedict Catholic Church with the Rev. Charles Massoth, O.S.B. officiating.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery under the direction of Roesch-Walker Funeral Chapel.