Carolyn Jane Sherman (Bowers)
Peacefully at home surrounded by her family, Carolyn passed away. She had just turned 90. She led a life of love, strength, and unwavering dedication to family and friends.
Born in Perry, Oklahoma, her parents Paul and Cora Bowers moved Carolyn and her younger sister Wanda to California. She graduated from Ceres High in 1953.
As a natural entrepreneur and hard worker she succeeded in many businesses. She owned and operated The Ringside in Modesto, Dougs Den in Ceres, the Chuckwagon in Oakdale, then retired after her final restaurant, The Feedlot in Ceres.
Over the years she and her late husband Norman “Lefty” purchased and ran the Modesto Horse Auction. This led them to put on rodeos and horse shows in Don Pedro and raise and sell champion paint horses.
Known for their hospitality, they opened their home for many parties. Carolyn with her spatula and Lefty with his fiddle created good food, music and memories. She enjoyed dancing, baking pies and cobblers, making jelly and canning pickles using fruits and vegetables from her own garden. Other joys were day trips to the casino, yard sales, and Costco. These adventures are fond memories for us all.
Carolyn was cherished by her children – the late Mike Lane and his wife Janice, Mitch Lane, and Lisa Bean as well as Lefty’s daughters, Norma and Debbie, whom she lovingly embraced as her own. She had an everlasting bond with her brother Ronnie and sister-in-law Stephanie Bowers who showed their love and were by her side till the end.
She will be missed by her grandchildren Jill (Ben), Kevin (Erica), Renee, Lacy (PJ), Cena, Angie, Joey; her niece and two nephews; her five great grandchildren, and two great nieces were the light of her later years.
“Aunt Janie,” as they called her, enjoyed making us her famous tacos and iced tea. Her life was full of love, courage and generosity. She touched lives with her intelligence, strength and beauty. Her huge heart was always warm and welcoming and her memory will live on forever. They broke the mold when she was born, she was truly one of a kind. Give her lemons and she made lemonade! She will be missed immensely.
A Celebration of Carolyn’s incredible life will be held at 2706 S. Gratton Road at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 1.
– Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
