Minnie S. Bowren

Born April 29, 1936 in Crawfordsville, Arkansas, to Marries and Georgia Day-Jones. Suma was the youngest of 8 children. Her parents Marries and Georgia, 7 siblings; Bessie, Georgia, Marsie, Floyd, Oliver, Ruthie Mae, and Jessie, along with her loving son-in-law Clarence R. Thomas Jr, and best friend Hazel Byers, all preceded her in deh. Suma was a member of Eighth Street Baptist Church. She tended school in the Kansas City, KS school district. She met William H. McDaniel and to this union one child was born, Alisa Gail McDaniel-Thomas. Suma ler tended Barber College where she successfully gradued and became the first black female “Master Barber” in Kansas. She was a jack of all trades. Suma traveled many stes, and sang with jazz musicians such as Fred Marshall and Etta Jones. She would use her master barber skills to make a living in any place she resided. Suma settled in Kansas, where she married William D. Bowren, together they built and opened “Play Boy” Barber shop. In the le 90’s, Suma began her most prideful career as The Head Instructor/Master Barber Advanced Hair Tech Barber College. She impacted the lives of many men and women during her tenure. Suma was very proud of all of her students and loved to hear about their continued success. She enjoyed listening and learning how the “Barber Game” had/has changed over the years. Suma leaves to cherish her loving memories & historic legacy; her only child Alisa Gail Thomas, only granddaughter Crystal K. Cummings; 5 gre-grands, Jae’Lan, Cedric, Turriah, Ain’Jel(Christan), & Tumyia; 3 gre-gre grands, Kaiden, Treasure, & Jae’lan Jr, all of Kansas. And a host of nieces, nephews, other relives, students, and friends.