Wilma Bowen
1920 – 2011
Springfield, Missouri

Wilma Olive Bowen, the daughter of Edward and Hazel (Huey) Makings was born on January 18, 1920, in Fairfax, Missouri. She attended Atchison County Rural Schools and graduated in Skidmore, Missouri, in 1937.

On February 28, 1938, she was united in marriage to Ralph Jackson Bowen in Rock Port, Missouri. They made their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa for 60 years. In 1996, they moved to Kimberling City, Missouri, to be closer to their family. In February of 2000, they became residents of Springfield, Missouri. Jack passed away on March 22, 2000. Wilma passed away on July 21, 2011, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 91 years.

Wilma was formerly a member of the Trinity Baptist Church and of the Ridge Crest Baptist Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was a current member of the Ridge Crest Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Wilma was very active in her church and taught Sunday school for more than 50 years. She taught herself to play the harmonica when she was a young girl. She also wrote poetry about many life experiences.

Wilma also led an active lifestyle, and would walk at least three miles every day until she reached her mid-eighties. She loved to travel and visited England and Hawaii, as well as many other places in the United States. She was a faithful blood donor and over the years belonged to the eleven gallon club.

Besides her parents and husband, Jack, Wilma was preceded in death by one brother, Willis Makings, and one sister, Maida McGrew. Wilma is survived by her daughters, Phyllis and husband, Elmer Bailey of Nixa, Missouri, Patricia and husband, David Howell, Springfield, Missouri and Jackie O’Connor, Springfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one sister-in-law, Helen Bowen, Rock Port, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

Services: 2:00 P.M., Sunday, July 24, 2011, Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
Interment: Grange Hall Cemetery, Rock Port.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 -1:45 P.M., prior to the service on Sunday, July 24, 2011, at Minter Funeral Chapel.
Memorials: Wilma Bowen Memorial Fund
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.