Shirley Bowman

Shirley Ann Bowman was born October 15, 1935 in Wallins Creek, Kentucky to the late Clayborn and Ava Blanton Bowling.
Shirley met the Lord’s choice of partner and married the love of her life, the late Samuel J. Bowman on August 14, 1959. Their Christian missions were remarkable, constantly working and witnessing for Christ both here and abroad. A most memorable experience was their three-year missionary stay at the Good Shepherd School in Addis Ababa- Ethiopia, Africa during the 1970’s.
Shirley received extensive post-secondary training and attained collegiate certifications too numerous to list. While having many vocations in her life, she loved the field of education and worked locally for the Harlan County Board of Education before joining the Southeast Community and Technical College System- Harlan Campus where she was employed for 32 years. Up to the time of her illness, Shirley dedicated herself as a grant writer for this institution and its people whom she considered as her extended family.
She was a faithful life-long member of Wallins Christian Church and served as Sunday School Teacher, Song Leader, Bible Study Leader, and Board Member.
Shirley leaves in passing two sisters, Jessie Sue (late husband Robert C.) Smith of Waco, Texas and Mary Ruth Bowling of Wallins Creek as well as one brother William Kendrick Bowling and wife Charlene of Wallins Creek, KY.
She also leaves several nephews and nieces including Clayborn Clarence Smith (wife Julie) of Waco, Texas, Eric Scott Bowling (wife Verna) of Wallins Creek, Ava Madeline Smith of Austin, Texas, Tammy Lynne Bowling of Wallins Creek, and Rhonda Lee Bowling (fiancé Greg VanAuken) of Burlington, North Carolina.
Shirley had a special bond with her great nieces Erica Jo Bowling of Wallins Creek and Kendra Elizabeth VanAuken of Burlington, North Carolina as well as great-nephews William Kendrick Bowling of Wallins Creek and Jacob Timothy Smith of Waco, Texas.
She also has many other cousins, relatives, and friends who will greatly miss the love and laughter she shared.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 5 to 7PM at Mount Pleasant Funeral Home. Funeral will immediately follow at 7PM in the chapel of Mount Pleasant with Obie Clark officiating. Graveside service will be Monday, January 20, 2014 at 11AM at the Park Howard Cemetery, Wallins Creek, KY. Pallbearers will be the men of the Wallins Christian Church and the men of Southeast Community and Technical College System-Harlan Campus. Honorary Pallbearer will be Dr. Steven K. Morgan of Pineville, KY, a special friend who faithfully cared for Shirley while they shared their mutual love for Jesus Christ.