Mrs. M. Marie Bowman of Brownwood, age 89, beloved matriarch of our family, went home to Heaven on August 22, 2024 after a lengthy illness. Memorial services will be officiated by Dr. William (Bill) Falkner and held on September 21, 2024 at Board Church in Comanche, TX with service at 2pm and visitation following in the church fellowship hall. For those attending the Memorial service, you are welcome to speak and share memories.
Marie was born in Decatur TX on November 30, 1934, to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard P. Harris. She was a graduate of Monahans High School and attended Howard Payne College on both vocal and instrumental scholarships. She married Joe M. Bowman in Midland, TX on March 9, 1956.
Affectionately called by various ones of the family “Ree, Mom, and Mimi”, we are both sad at her absence but rejoicing that she is where she longed to be, with Jesus. She lived her life among us, loving and serving Jesus, shining His light so gently and fervently on all whose lives she touched. Marie Bowman was indeed a servant in her caring for others. She faithfully followed the Lord on her journey on the narrow road to Home. Family, friends and neighbors tell sweet stories of her tender kindness, sound advice and happy accounts of fun times she created in their lives. Marie loved beauty and taught her family to appreciate the arts but especially to look with awe at God’s Creation. Being a talented artist, her beautiful paintings adorn the homes of friends and family. Mrs. Bowman was a member of Beacon Class at First Baptist Church for many years. She was also active in the business and political community serving for 40 years as an election judge, assistant voter registrar and judge’s trainer. She was the executive secretary of the Brown County United Way for 25 years. She was a member of the African Violet Society of America raising many beautiful, award-winning varieties and judging shows across the state. Marie’s eye for beauty and detail was unparalleled. She always desired to see things done with meticulous excellence, to bless others and foremost to serve her King. Marie played the piano beautifully, and her singing voice garnered many an invitation to perform. She also composed original music for piano, dedicated to Jesus. But for all her accomplishments, her most memorable trait was her lovingkindness in services to others too numerous to name. These unselfish acts of love, not done for praise or attention, are her legacy that we cherish which endure far beyond her time on the Earth.
Marie is survived by her daughter Teresa Bowman Molina of Brownwood, TX; Granddaughter Crystal Molina and great granddaughters Sheradyn and Tierney Bowman Molina of Early, TX; sister and best friend Joanna Hightower Gruerio of San Angelo, TX; niece, RitaKay Hightower Baade of Mountain Home, AR; and nephews Bryce Hightower and wife Carey of Pace, FL, Stephen Hightower and wife Ellen of Ruidoso, NM, and Blake Hightower and wife Janie of San Angelo, TX; cousins, Bill and Frankie Falkner of Burleson, TX, and Dick and Olivia Eudaly of Colleyville, TX; extended family and lifelong friends Jerry Mast of Santo, TX, Charles McNutt of Arlington, TX, Bill and Beverly Taylor and family of Brownwood, TX and Glenda Evans and family of Kerrville, TX.
Mrs. Bowman was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe M. Bowman and her dear brother-in-law, Anthony Gruerio.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests the sharing of memories on the Heartland Funeral Home tribute page or donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.