Dora Mae Straight Bowling
Lifelong member of United Methodist Church
Dora Mae Straight Bowling, 87, of Washington, formerly of Fairmont, W.Va., died Thursday, June 20, 2013, in her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born February 22, 1926, in Rivesville, W.Va., a daughter of the late Hood and Della Freeman Straight.
Mrs. Bowling was a graduate of Rivesville High School and attended Fairmont State University and West Virginia Business College.
On September 6, 1947, she married William K. “Bud” Bowling. On September 6, 2013, they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. From this marriage came two daughters, Frances Elaine (John) Olshock and Joan Adell (Dan) Emmett, both of Washington.
She was a lifelong member of United Methodist Church and served her Lord as a Sunday school teacher, but her first love was working with the youth of the church. She influenced many youth for Christ while serving as youth director in her service to the Lord. She was a member of the United Methodist women’s group and served in several other positions. At the time of her death, she was a member of First United Methodist Church of Washington.
Mrs. Bowling was an artist and a member of the Washington Art Association. She loved to paint religious scenes. On one occasion, she painted Christ on the cross for a minister friend, to be used for his Good Friday services. She also painted pictures of Christ surrounded by little children now hanging in the children’s area in a church in Florida as well as one in the children/youth area of Central United Methodist Church, which she attended while living in Fairmont.
After raising her children, she returned to the workforce as a secretary to the principal of the Watson elementary school. She spent 13 years in this capacity and retired in 1986.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are sister Frances Talbott and brothers William, Carl and Ralph Straight.
She was the last remaining member of her immediate family.
Surviving, in addition to her husband and two daughters, are five grandchildren, Matthew Neelen and Ryan, Katie, Andrew and Valerie Emmett; two stepgrandchildren, Jonathan Olshock and Elizabeth (Richie) Myros; four great-grandchildren, Zoe Frances and Teague Robert Neelen and Richie and Ellieanna Myros; a sister-in-law, Frieda Michael of Rivesville, W.Va.; and several loving nieces and nephews.
Her caregivers were Denise Puskarich, Kimberly Gibson and the hospice nurses.
Friends will be received from noon to 2 and 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday in Hummell and Jones Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, Thomas W. Hummell, supervisor, Douglas M. Jones, director. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, Monday, June 24, in Avery United Methodist Church, 1100 Gabby Avenue, Washington, with the Rev. Keith Simmons officiating. A luncheon will be served immediately following the service. Entombment will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, Morgantown, W.Va.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Building Fund of the First United Methodist Church, 29 North College Street, Washington, PA 15301. Condolences may be left at www.hummellandjones.com.