Lillian "Bea" Bowling

November 03 , 1919 - January 14 , 2018

VISITATIONS:

Tuesday, January 16, 20181:00 ~ 8:00PMYpsilanti Old Regular Baptist Church5667 Denton RoadCanton, MI

SERVICES:

Wednesday, January 17, 201811:00 AMYpsilanti Old Regular Baptist Church5667 Denton RoadCanton, MI

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Obituary

Lillian “Bea” Bartley Bowling was born November 3, 1919 and died January 14, 2018. She was born in Bowling Fork, Pike County, Kentucky and died at her home in Belleville, Michigan surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of Alvin Duvall Bartley and Dixie Belcher Bartley. In 1943 she married Jonah Elwyon Bowling. Their children are Elwonna, Alvin (Mildred), Cora E. and Maurice (Judy Merling). Dearest grandmother of Elwyon Shawn, William Gregory, and Michael Dwayne; great-grandmother of Natasha, K’La, Samantha, Jonah, and Austin; great-great grandmother of 6. She is also survived by her brother Robert Jackson Bartley.She was devoted to her family and enjoyed having them at her home. She was an avid gardener and raised plants and flowers. She also enjoyed her animals-dogs, cats, goats, chickens and geese as long as she was able to care for them. Her last dog Trixie was her constant companion for over two years they were inseparable. Mother valued reading, learning and education. She earned her Associates Degree from Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky and her Bachelors Degree from Pikeville College. She attended Friday nights, Saturdays and Summers while teaching full time and being a wife and mother. Mother was a much beloved teacher for 42 years in Kentucky and Westland, Michigan. After retirement mother helped organize a ladies auxiliary at Ypsilanti Old Regular Baptist Church. For years she and the ladies made and sold fried apple pies, baked goods and rummage sales. They earned enough money to build a fellowship hall which is named in her honor. She was a faithful attendee at church and greatly enjoyed services. She was a remarkable woman and determined to succeed. She did. She is preceded in death by her husband Jonah Elwyon Bowling, her parents Alvin and Dixie Bartley, her brothers Dewey and Willie Alvin Bartley Jr., and her sister Dexter Bartley Ratliff Cantrell.

Condolences

We are thankful and blessed to have known and loved our dear aunt. She was an encouragement to all and a positive force for good her whole life. Her faith in God and commitment to education shaped her life and has impacted so many. Portia Dischinger
I just want to express my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Bowling's family and friends. She was a great teacher and I remember class being fun. She was also very caring. This was in 1975/76. I am sending prayers, peace and strength to everyone! Kellie Sweet
Mrs Bowling was my Grade 3 and Grade 4 teacher back in 1980 or there about at Elliott Elementary School in Westland, MI. I kept in touch with her until the last couple years when I misplaced her phone number and address. This woman was my angel on earth and was an amazing guiding force in my life. She was the grandma I never had growing up and the one who even to the last time we talked kept me in check and cheered me on in my accomplishments in academia, career and life. Her energy, her memory, her spunk and her ability to make such a profound impact on so many youth in such memorable ways is something I wish teachers of today had. She not only took interest in her students but their families and went out of her way to make each of us feel just a very special to her by finding our light and our talents. My elementary school memories from her spelling challenges, to the math facts recitals and everything in between as well as her leading us in song every morning after the Pledge of Allegiance, she was the teacher who just exemplified the profession in so many ways. Our loss of her, is Heaven's gain of a wonderful angel who will continue looking out for us and smiling proudly at her family and friends which she spoke so often about. She would share with me the amazingly large family gatherings for the holidays, her walks t feed the animals and tend to her gardening. My regret is though I kept in touch, I never made it back to Michigan to see her after so many years leaving. Not only she continued to be interested in me as grew older, but my parents as well and always wondered if I kept in touch with friends from elementary school despite moving to Florida. I have - thanks to internet and social media, there's a good handful that we still chat and reminisce of our times in her class. Godspeed to you Mrs. Bowling, thank you for being the amazing teacher and human being you were to me and countless number of children who you taught not only academics but to be confident and self-disciplined children who became successful adults! Although we will mourn you, our cherished memories will celebrate you and keep you alive in our hearts. Love, Robert W Kovacs student at Elliot Elementary School, about 1980 or so Robert W Kovacs
I was sorry to hear of Bea's passing. Few have touched as many lives as this lady. My condolences to all the family and friends. Rest in peace, cousin Bea. Ronald Bartley
Aunt Bea was a wonderful woman, dedicated to her children and the Lord. She made a remarkable impact on anyone she met and left her mark on all the children who had the privilege of having her as their teacher. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. RIP Aunt Bea. We love you! Donna Goodrich
Lillian Bowling was such an inspiration. Her energy and kind heart will be missed by her many friends and family members. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Kindest regards, Marty and Donn Osswald Marty and Donn Osswald
Please accept my deep, heartfelt condolences. May the Lord surround you all. May He protect and comfort you. Amen Robbin McCrumb
We so regret that Mrs. Bowling is gone to heaven. She is loved by so many and will be missed by family and friends. Betty & Leeland Daigle