ANNIE THELMA BRANCH BOWDEN
Sept. 4, 1923-Oct. 10, 2010
Annie Thelma Branch Bowden, 705 A. Taylor St., Goldsboro, N.C., was born Sept. 4, 1923, in Duplin County, N.C., to the late Ophelia Branch and the late Lloyd Branch. God called her home Oct. 10, 2010.
Her work here has been completed.
Annie attended Duplin County Public Schools.
She was an active member of Smith Chapel Free Will Baptist Church for many years, where she served as an usher until her health begin to fail. Her favorite pastime was singing old hymns.
Annie was a loving, dedicated and caring mother. She enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her grandchildren and family. She was a faithful and kind friend to all. Her beautiful smile and her easy-going, fun-loving personality will be missed by all.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Earl Edward Bowden; a son, Curtis Douglas Bowden; two sisters, Fleata Mae Floyd and Lola Vivian Strickland; and a brother, Andrew Branch.
Left to cherish her loving memories are her children, Barbara Lewis (Raphell) of Dudley, N.C., Betty Benton of Goldsboro, N.C., Jerry Bowden of Goldsboro, N.C., Jimmy Bowden (Dolly) of Stafford, Va., Janice Spruill of Goldsboro, N.C., Shelia Smith (Alvin) of Goldsboro, N.C., and Tony Bowden (Melissa) of Montgomery, Ala.; three brothers, Lloyd Branch Jr. of Goldsboro, N.C., Benjamin Branch (Bessie) of Raleigh, N.C., Eugene Branch (Faye) of Goldsboro, N.C.; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
A visitation for Ms. Bowden will take place Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at New Spirit Church Ministries, with the family present to receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Celebration of life services will be held Friday at 12 noon at Smith Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. Following the services in the sanctuary, Ms. Bowden's delicate temple along with her cherished family will be escorted to Old Mill Cemetery for interment rites. It is in this earthly consign that her family can come to visit and pay respect, but it is in that beautiful place called paradise that she is now reunited with her husband and is enjoying the heavenly host.
Services of class with distinction are placed in the caring hands of E.M. Matthews Funeral Home and Cremations Inc.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 13, 2010 1:49 PM