If you ask Michele Mowery about her life, she’ll tell you it’s been one part adventure, one part timing, and all heart. Michele’s story begins with a bit of glamour—her mother was a high fashion model, and her father was the creative mind that brought the world Reddi Whip, the iconic treat that made history as the first advertisement on black and white television. It’s no surprise, then, that Michele grew up with an eye for style and a knack for spotting opportunity.
As an only child, she learned early on to carve her own path. After high school, Michele’s career blossomed in directions as varied as her interests. She started as an usherette for Jai Alai games at the Magic City Fronto in Miami, then took on roles at Planned Parenthood and as a proofreader for the Miami News. Her sharp eye and creative flair propelled her up the ranks to become Ad Director—a role where her handiwork could be seen on billboards, bus benches, and even TV screens across the city.
Michele’s work life was as much about serendipity as ambition. Most of her roles came about through chance meetings or introductions, each one leading to the next big thing. That’s how she became Assistant Director for the Florida Fashion Mart, making the journey between Miami and Tampa every ten weeks to organize shows and buyers’ guides at the Mart. Later, she took on the challenge of organizing a $15-million trade-only jewelry show for the Eastern Jewelry Travelers Association, an exclusive event for industry professionals. Her journey then led her to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, where she helped visitors navigate the sprawling 17-acre Hickory Furniture Mart.
Retail was another chapter—fifteen years at Belk in both Charlotte and Boone, North Carolina, where Michele became a standout sales associate and personal shopper, racking up awards and loyal clients. No matter the job, people were her passion.
Through it all, Michele built a family as lively as her career. She raised three daughters, and today she’s the proud matriarch of seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her adventurous spirit didn’t stop at work—she’s traveled everywhere from England and France to Cuba, Alaska, and the Caribbean, collecting memories and stories along the way.
When life finally called for a slower pace, Michele chose Everlan of Johnson City to be close to her eldest daughter and family. She’s as vibrant as ever, making her mark with humor and candor. She’s even set the terms for her own sendoff: no eulogy at her funeral, music by Andrea Bocelli, and a headstone that simply reads, “She Tried.”
Michele Mowery’s story is one of chance, charm, and determination—a life designed on her own terms, with a legacy that’s sure to inspire laughter, admiration, and a few tales of serendipity for years to come.
