Obituary for Earline Mattie Bowden (Kindley)
Earline Bowden was born August 16, 1932, to G. Grant Kindley and Mattie Lee Simpson. Besides her parents, she was also preceded by her husband of 59 years Ray Edward Bowden who passed in 2008. Together, they had four children, Kenneth E. Bowden (predeceased), Kathy A. Reynolds (predeceased), Kevin R. Bowden (Debbie) and Lisa R. Hogan (Nate). In her 90 years, life was about family, faith, and community. Having lost her mother at the young age of 9, she knew the importance of family. She enjoyed many dinners, holidays and events with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and other special family friends and neighbors. She loved to travel every chance she got but her favorite place was Emerald Isle, NC where she enjoyed lots of family time at the beach.
Earline was a faithful servant for many years at Southside Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and enjoyed sharing that love with everyone around her. She had a heart for people in need and spent most of her focus on missions. She lived her life by example following Jesus. In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” She cooked and served many a meal, collected countless pieces of clothing, and served whoever she could in whatever manor she could.
Earline was always committed to the South Norfolk community. Her love for South Norfolk was almost as equal to her love of coffee. There were many cups enjoyed on her porch in South Norfolk. She grew up there and raised her family there.
Earline also served many years in the Friendship Chapter No. 57 of the Order of the Eastern Star as a member and also as the Worthy Matron from 1992-1993. She continued as a member of the Berkley Chapter No. 52 of the Order of the Eastern Star upon the merger of the Chapters.
She will be missed by many for her love of people.
A service will be at Southside Baptist Church, 1200 Bainbridge Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23324 on June 10, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive visitors at 920 Red Bay Lane, Chesapeake the evening before from 4pm-7pm. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Southside Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Earline was a faithful servant for many years at Southside Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and enjoyed sharing that love with everyone around her. She had a heart for people in need and spent most of her focus on missions. She lived her life by example following Jesus. In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” She cooked and served many a meal, collected countless pieces of clothing, and served whoever she could in whatever manor she could.
Earline was always committed to the South Norfolk community. Her love for South Norfolk was almost as equal to her love of coffee. There were many cups enjoyed on her porch in South Norfolk. She grew up there and raised her family there.
Earline also served many years in the Friendship Chapter No. 57 of the Order of the Eastern Star as a member and also as the Worthy Matron from 1992-1993. She continued as a member of the Berkley Chapter No. 52 of the Order of the Eastern Star upon the merger of the Chapters.
She will be missed by many for her love of people.
A service will be at Southside Baptist Church, 1200 Bainbridge Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23324 on June 10, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive visitors at 920 Red Bay Lane, Chesapeake the evening before from 4pm-7pm. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Southside Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.