Most recently, Bowling worked as the program director of the behavioral health units at the Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett.
Between 1996 and 2003, after retiring from her career in education, Bowling worked as a recreational therapist for the Family Counseling Center.
Bowling retired from Alton High School in Alton, Ill. to move to Kennett. She still has family living here.
"Bowling was ahead of her time," Pete Hayes said. Hayes is the sports editor for the Alton newspaper, The Telegraph, and speaks highly of Bowling.
"She was a teacher and coach at AHS . . . She helped get girls sports established at AHS," he continued.
Another reason Bowling impressed Hayes was, he said, "The morning after every AHS girls basketball game, the phone would ring at precisely 7:50 a.m.
'Hello. This is Mary Bowling--at the high school.' It would be Bowling with her team's results. And she always called--win or lose."
Steve Porter, the assistant sports editor for The Telegraph, said, "Mary Bowling was a pioneer." She got "the wheels rolling for the Alton High girls athletic program."
"Bowling, a teacher for 38 years and a coach for 29 of them, concentrated her efforts on basketball, helping to develop a competitive program.
"Her teams won five regional championships," Porter said.
Working as a therapist in Kennett, "She [Bowling] was very proud to be able to help those less unfortunate than herself by giving of herself," Mary Schuetz said. Schuetz is a longtime friend.
"She always had such pride in helping the patient and staff when needed. She gave a positive outlook to life to everyone she would meet," Schuetz continued.
Schuetz said, ""Mary loved living in Kennett, close to everything and everyone she loved. She lived in Bragg City for seven years next to the home she had bought for her parents, across the street from her brother."
Growing up, Bowling's life was apparently not a real easy one. According to Schuetz, Bowling worked in the fields as a share cropper's daughter, eventually putting herself through school.
"She felt it gave her strength and understanding," Schuetz said.
Obviously, the ethic Bowling learned while growing up displayed itself in her relationships with others.
Camie Bechtold, another friend, said, "As my professional life has evolved and I have learned more about the evolution of women's athletics, I have come to realize what a pioneer Ms. Bowling was in creating opportunities for girls. As a high school athlete, I took for granted my participation opportunities.
"I realize now that I have Ms. Bowling to thank for my opportunity to be a high school athlete. I am truly blessed to be able to call this woman, who was a champion for girls athletics, a coach, role model, and friend."
"I feel so blessed to have gotten to know Mary," Tricia LeMarr, another friend, said, "and enjoyed the free spirited, fun and caring person that she was."
A message left in her journal expresses the thought Bowling desired to leave for her friends and family:
"I love you all, don't be sad when I'm gone--Remember to laugh about our good times and continue to live your life to the fullest . . . live today, make tentative plans for tomorrow, but have fun and enjoy life."
James Ward
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Jim was born Oct. 16, 1933, in Cleveland, Ark., to Ellis James and Faye Swain Ward, who preceded him in death.
Jim was known in his younger days as an avid athlete both at Deering High School and Arkansas State University, where he set records that stand today, some 58 years later. He taught the first ever driver's education class at Deering High School, and coached for a brief period before he started a career in farming in 1959, a career that he loved and expanded on for more than 25 years. He brought the use of chemicals, liquid fertilizer and various new age equipment sales and instructional help to farmers when he opened Deering Seed and Fertilizer Co. as a partner with J.F. Calhoun in the late 60's and early 70's. In 1974 he worked for Farmer's Home Administration for two years. He resumed his farming career in 1976 until 1987 when he began working for DeWitt Auction Company where he continued to be close to the farming community. He remained in the farming arena in 1989 when he went to work as a store manager for Baker Implement Co. in Blytheville, where he retired in 2000. A member of Clear Lake Baptist Church, Jim had many friends, associates, coworkers, and family that will truly miss him.
Jim's wife of 56 years, Betty Jean Lindsey Ward, of Blytheville.; sisters, Bonnie Stracener, of Franklin, Tenn., and Gloria Love, of Scotland Ark.; sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Laura Ward, Keith and Gayla Ward, all of Deering, Mo.; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and great-nieces; a great-nephew; a host of friends, family and three exceptional friends, John R. and J.C. Taylor and Merry Jim Elder, all survive him.