Inez Ethelyn Bowler

Inez Ethelyn

Brown Bowler

January 14, 1912 - June 12, 2011

Mrs. Inez Ethelyn Brown Bowler passed early on Sunday morning, June 12, 2011, with family surrounding her as she went to glory. She will be welcomed home by her husband, Hamlet Price Bowler; parents, Lucress and Cornelius Brown, sisters, Zenobia Young, Lillian Matoka Uzzell, Willa Verda Harris, Elnora Brown Sellers, Jaymes Williams; and brothers, Cornelius Brown Jr. and Albert Brown.

The youngest of eight children born to her proud parents in Portsmouth, Virginia, on January 14, 1912, Mrs. Bowler established a long and distinguished career as an Educator after graduating from Virginia State University, where she met her husband of 25 years.

Mrs. Bowler served 43 years in the Fluvanna, Madison, Louisa, Charlottesville and Albemarle School Systems. She began her career in a one-room schoolhouse, as she fondly recalled, and retired as a guidance Counselor at Albemarle High School in 1978. She was proud of her years teaching at Jackson P. Burley High School, and served as the Grand Marshall in the Burley High School Reunion parade as recently as last year. Many of her students will say she was in charge of her classroom, where she was caring and thorough.

Mrs. Bowler's commitment to children extended beyond the classroom-she served on the Board of Janie P. Barrett Daycare Center, and was active for many years at First Baptist Church, where she was Director of Vacation Bible School, and a member of the Progressive Missionary Circle. Mrs. Bowler was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. was active in the Charlottesville Interfraternal Council, of which she was the oldest living member. In her spare time, she enjoyed weekly bridge games with other retired teachers.

Mrs. Bowler leaves to mourn her passing her daughters Mrs. Alicia B. Lugo and Mrs. Patricia Edwards; a son-in-law, Mr. Alvin Edwards; devoted granddaughters, Angel Nichelle Lugo and Rachel Edwards; a beloved special friend and caregiver, Sonia Marsita Bell, all of Charlottesville, Virginia; and a bevy of great-nieces and great-nephews as well as many friends and former students.

Funeral services will be held 12 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2011, at First Baptist Church on West Main Street with Pastor Hodari K. Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

The family also asks that we remember Mrs. Bowler with love, and though her time here with us has past, her journey with The Father has just begun.

J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

www.jfbellfuneralhome.com


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.