Betty Bowman

Ms. Betty J. Bowman, age 90 of Gulf Breeze, FL and formerly of Beardstown, went to be with her savior the Lord on Wednesday January 13, 2021 at Gulf Breeze Hospital in Florida.

Betty was born the last of 5 children to Orvy Claud and Rosie Rohlfing McCoy on May 4th 1930. She was preceded in death by all her siblings, Maxine Gordon, Orvy ”Mac” McCoy Jr., Rosina Sullivan and Melvin (Bud) McCoy.

On October 29, 1948 she married Richard Givens in Hannibal, MO and he preceded her in death on September 23, 1977.   To this union was born their children, Kenneth (wife Donna), Claudette, and Tracy “Scoop” (companion Kenny Ackerman) Givens. On July 20, 1979 she married Thomas Bowman in Beardstown, Illinois and he preceded her in death on July 13, 2010. She is also survived by three grandchildren and six great grandchildren and preceded in death by one grandchild David Justin Reeve in 2018.

Betty graduated with the BHS class of 1948, where she was a cheerleader for all 4 years. Her most rewarding achievement was graduating Pensacola Community College of Florida at the ripe age of 65 and going on to teach Pre-K at Childcare Network in Gulf Breeze. In her early years, she worked at McKinna Drug Store, Meyer Grocery Store, TG&Y, Illinois Star, and State of Illinois Drivers License Division working with Mike Varley, Bob Stock, and Mary Derrick. She was a member of Guthrie-Pierce VFW Auxiliary Post in Beardstown. For 15 years, Betty attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pensacola, FL but was baptized on January 21st, 1940. She enjoyed playing cards, Bunko, golfing, and bowling. She was known for canning tomatoes and making jelly,

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Burial will be in St. Alexius Catholic Cemetery in Beardstown. The family will meet with friends from 4-6 PM Monday at the memorial home. Betty’s service will be live streamed on the funeral website on Tuesday at 1 PM. The family requests casual dress if you are able to attend Betty’s services.

Due to the current health situation, face masks will be required and to comply with social distancing guidelines, a limited number of people will be allowed in the memorial home at one time.

Memorials have been suggested to Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.