March 27, 2013

Funeral for Norman Austell Bowling, 96, of Hartselle will be Fri., March 29, at 1 p.m. at East Highland Baptist Church with the Rev. O.D. Bowling offering the eulogy, the Revs. Mike Mason and Walter Blackman officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.

Burial will be in Robinson Family Cemetery. Visitation will be Thur., March 28, from 5-8 p.m. at the East Highland Baptist Church.

Mr. Bowling died Wed., March 27, 2013, at Summerford Nursing Home. He was born Thur., Sept. 21, 1916, in Lawrence County to William “Bud” Freeman Bowling and Edna Price Bowling. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Cleo Robinson Bowling; his parents, Bud and Edna Bowling; a brother, Willard Bowling; three sisters, Vera Bond, Eva Shelton and Ima Hitt; and two grandchildren, Wendy Thompson and Amanda Thompson.

Mr. Bowling retired from Wolverine Tube. He loved to sing and loved Gospel music. He was a dedicated Christian and the oldest member of East Highland Baptist Church. He served for many years as Sunday school director, deacon and Sunday school teacher. He oversaw the building of Liberty Baptist Church, where he built furniture for the nursery and children’s department. He loved all sports, especially basketball, Alabama football and Braves baseball.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Emma Jean Doss Bowling of Hartselle; three sons, Wayne Bowling and wife Gerrie and Ricky Bowling and wife Cindy, all of Decatur, and Billy Ray Bowling and wife Jean of Danville; five daughters, Thelma Jo Stephenson of Hartselle, Polly Thompson and husband W.H. of Lexington, Faye Segar and husband Charles of Danville, Sue Waters of Trinity and Nell May and husband Steve of Lynchburg, Tenn.; 19 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be will be sons and grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers will be will be grandsons.