Mary Pinkston Bowman

Mary Virginia Bowman passed away on January 2, 2010, into her eternal reward at Hendrick Hospital. The celebration of her life will be on Wednesday, January 6, at 2:00 PM at Lawn Baptist Church. The Rev Larry Millican and the Rev. Price Mathieson will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Cedar Gap Cemetery directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 5, at the funeral home from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM. Mary was born on February 15, 1930 to Mertie and T.J. Pinkston. She attended school in Tuscola and graduated from high school in 1949 from South Taylor High School, now Jim Ned High School. She married Welton Bowman, the love of her life, on April 16, 1949. They loved and laughed in their 57 years of married life. Three children were born to them, Joan and Elvin, both of Abilene, and Mendy, of Oplin. She worked for AISD for many years, and retired from Abilene State School. She was a strong Christian woman, who bequeathed her faith to her children. She leaves us with a strong heritage of faith and family, and was dearly loved by her church family. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Welton. She was the baby of her family and the last surviving sibling. Her brothers were M.L., Walter, Earl, and Eugene Pinkston. Her sisters were Lavene Phariss, and Luella Davis. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heather Millican. She is survived by her children, Joan and Larry Millican, Elvin and Patti Bowman, and Mendy and Steve Stogsdill; nine grandchildren, Molly and Phillip Thomas, Joy and Jason Beard, Christy and Randy Clark, Lacy and Jordan Reeder, Matt and Tammye Smith, Laura Millican, Daniel Millican, Emily Stogsdill, and Alex Stogsdill; and six great-grandchildren. Survivors also include Corrine Pinkston, wife of Walter Pinkston, and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be her nephews. The family wishes to extend grateful thanks to the staff at Hendrick Hospice. Memorials may be given to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601.