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Miriam Viola Stille Bowen

1920 - 2010

 

Stonewall, LA - Services to celebrate the life of Miriam Viola Stille Bowen will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at Salem Baptist Church. Officiating will be Brothers Stan McGee and Mike Stowell. The family will receive friends and loved ones on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be 3:30 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Deridder, La. The graveside service will be officiated by her nephew, Terry Shirley.

Miriam, known by many as "Nana," went home to be with her Lord on November 13, 2010 at the age of 90 after a lengthy illness. She fought with great faith, courage and strength.

Born on October 5, 1920 in Klemme, Iowa to Paul and Maude Stille. She spent most of her youth there until in 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, her family moved to DeRidder, La. She served as a civilian employee of Army Air Base in Lake Charles during World War II. She was very proud that she took flying lessons and earned a pilot's license. Later, after attending beauty school, she opened her own beauty shop in DeRidder. In 1955 she married Leonard S. Bowen. After starting their family they moved to Stonewall in 1964.

She worked briefly at Foremost Dairies, Doctors Hospital and then spent 19 years at (AT&T) Lucent Technologies, and beginning in its
Western Electric division as switchboard operator. After retiring she was blessed to work at Town Clerk for former Mayor Curtis McCune of Stonewall. She also served in her community as a Census taker and an election poll worker.

She was highly respected and loved by many for her kindness and generous spirit. Miriam was a tower of strength for her family, supporting them with wisdom and unconditional love. As a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she always found time to often carry carloads of ball players or cheerleaders to Stonewall High School games, endured band practices, 4-H Club meetings, Boy Scouts, playing card games with grandchildren and many other activities. She was a longtime member of Salem Baptist Church where she loved to serve the Lord. She was blessed to have special care, attention and devotion by her grandson Chris and wife, Lisa, in her last years.
She will be welcomed in Heaven by her husband, parents, one sister Barbara Stille Kinney of DeRidder and her dear aunt, Irene "Tootsie" Davis, also of DeRidder.

Left to cherish her memory, her children, Bill Bowen of Fort Worth, TX and Gayle Bowen Carney and husband, Mike of Stonewall; five
grandchildren, Chris Carney and wife, Lisa, Aaron Carney and wife, Dana, Amber Carney and Caleb Carney all of Stonewall, Ashley Harrison and husband, Robert of The Woodlands, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Lily, Lacy, Kinsley and Caden Carney and Kaitlyn, Riley and Jacob Harrison; one sister, Virginia Stille Shirley; one sister-in-law, Betty Bowen; nephews, Paul and Terry Shirley, Alan and Chuck Kinney; four nieces: Pam Smith, Kaye Easter, Brenda Baylot, Rita Ingram; and her dear friend and neighbor of more than 40 years, Hazel Salisbury; a loyal friend, Miami Spears, numerous of great-nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Pallbearers include Chris Carney, Aaron Carney, Caleb Carney, Jerry Day, John Bruce, Robert Harrison, Chuck Kinney, Alan Kinney, and Jeff Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Salem Baptist Church, Paul and Terry Shirley.

Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of those who have loved, cared for and supported our mother and grandmother, as well as those who have stood by our side through her illness. A special thank you to Heritage Manor South and Life Path Hospice. Your kindness and compassion will always be remembered.

You may share your prayers and condolences with the family at www.centuriesmemorialfh.com

Published in Shreveport Times on November 16, 2010.


source: Find-A-Grave memorial #61746492