Bertie Cecelia Bowman
February 18, 1921 ~ May 12, 2009
Services:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Satruday, May 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, MD with Fr. Jack Kennealy officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM.
Bertie was born on February 18, 1921 to the late Charles Henry Bowman and Mary Frances Miles Bowman in Chaptico, MD. Bertie was called to her heavenly home during the early hours of Tuesday, May 12th at her Lexington Park home. Along with her parents, Bertie is preceded in death by her devoted friend Edward Lincoln Welch; her sisters, Julia Conway, Annie Edelen, Agnes Marie Bowman, Madeline Bowman Reed, Mary Jane Whalen and her brothers, Charles Henry Bowman, Jr., John Walter Bowman, James Henry Bowman and Carroll Emmanuel Bowman. “Miss Bertie” as she was well known throughout the county was a dedicated worker with volunteer organizations. She joined the NAACP during the early 1960’s and over the years worked on many of its committees with well known local members. She was most widely known for her work with the Youth Council during the early 1970’s. She was appointed as the Youth Advisor for the St. Mary’s County Branch of the NAACP. She saw our youth going places and doing things that most people thought was impossible. Some of the youth would not have been able to travel to places like Kings Dominion or other vacation spots without the county “bending the ear” of many of our business owners or organizational leaders soliciting their support (of any kind) to ensure that the plans of “her youth” were fulfilled. Bertie also involved the youth in other actitivities where her plans sometimes encountered resistance from event organizers, the public, some parents, family members and even the youth themselves. A result of her dogged determination was the appearance of the NAACP Youth Queen and Youth Marching Unit in the St. Mary’s County Fair and Veteran’s Day parades. Bertie was truly a “Tireless Warrior” for the St. Mary’s County Branch of the NAACP. Bertie was employed as a nurse at the St. Mary’s Hospital for nine years and St. Mary’s Nursing Home for eight years followed by many years as a private nurse to the elderly and companion for the shut ins. Her well known laughter and funny stories brightened the lives of many senior citizens. She was a faithful and devoted lifetime member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lexington Park, MD. Bertie leaves to cherish her memory, devoted daughter Pat Louis of Lexington Park, MD; four grandchildren, Wayne Louis of Lexington Park, MD, Joe Louis of MD, Crystal Louis of GA and Rhonda Louis of Lexington Park, MD; seven great-grandchildren, Janaya Hamon Louis, Troy Barnes, Shahid Louis, Shaquita Louis, Armani Louis, London Louis and Senora Louis; one great-great-grandchild Troyel Louis and two sisters, Alice Bowman of Mechanicsville, MD and Mammie Baker of Charlotte Hall, MD. Bertie was devoted to her nieces and nephews but held a deep relationship to her nieces Grace Clarke of Mechanicsville, MD and Catherine Thomas of California, MD and nephew John Bowman of LaPlata, MD, who were more like her sisters and brother. She also leaves a loving host of many nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, MD with Fr. Jack Kennealy officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Aaron Veney, Roy Reed, Joseph Thomas, James Edelen, Alvin Whalen and Ernest Baker. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Bowman, Sr., Jonathan Veney, James Mason, Eddie Bowman, Francis Reed, Joseph Wilson and Paul Reed.
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“Ms.Bertie would come and visit Nola & me in the early days in Hills Trailer Park and we would enjoy every minute of her company. She shared her wisdom with us (young single parents. We thank her for that.Ms Bertie will be missed but most of all she left us with a smile from all of her wonderful memories. God Be With The Family.”
“May you rest in peace. Zelma & Joseph Somerville”
“To the family, Our prayers are with you all. She is a very nice and wonderful person to talk to and always willing to lend a helping hand. she will be greatly missed. Donna Mason and kids/Marie Miles.”
“Bertie was a wonderful woman she will be missed by many. God Bless.”
“To the Family, My Condolences and Prayers are with you all. It’s always hard to lose a loved one, but you have the beautifull memories that will never be forgotten. “Rest in Peace Ms. Bertie””
“I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, SHE WAS A GREAT WOMAN.”
“To Rhonda, Ms. Pat, & the family of Ms. Bertie I send my deepest sympathy. Although I have never personally went on the trips with Ms. Bertie, I remember friends from school always taliking about them and the fun they had. May you find peace in knowing that Ms. Bertie is home with the lord and her years of work and dedication to the community will always be treasured and remembered. May you all find peace in the memories that you have they will last a lifetime. May god bless you all. Always, Chantini Queen- Somerville”
“SHE WAS TRULY A ROCK FOR THE COMMUNITY A VERY ADMIRED WOMAN. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE AND HER MEMORY NEVER FADE.”
“To The Family! May GOD continue to strenghthen you during this difficult time. Mrs. Bertie use to keep me stronge when I was growing up. She was truly a women who would tell you like it is. I enjoyed the Kings Dominion trips. Be encourage family and know that we will keep you in our daily prayers. Be Bless! Deidre & AJ Bryant Alice Winters”
“Bertie was a famous legend in St marys county. She will surely be missed. Rest in peace.”
“To the family of Bertie Bowman, our condolences and prayers go out to you. Mrs.Bertie will be greatly missed”
” To the family and friends of Mrs. Bowman may your faith comfort you during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
“Sorry for the loss of your Mother, may god bless you. If there is anything you need please feel to give me a call or stop by. You all are in my prayers. “
“To Pat & the entire family, My sincere condolences on the loss of a truly remarkable woman. I will never forget the way she was always there for my mom after my dad died and for me as my mom was dying. IHM won’t be quite the same without her there but she will be welcomed with open arms in heaven by all of the IHM parishioners who went before her. She will truly be missed but always remembered.”
“To the Family, My Condolences for your loss; Ms. Bertie was a loving and caring person. She was always lending a helping hand. “Rest in Peace.” “
“Miss Bertie was an amazing woman. My thoughts and prayers are extended to the entire family. I have always cherished the summers in Buds Creek with Miss Bertie & family. God Bless and lots of love.”
“TO THE FAMILY: YOU HAVE OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LOST OF YOUR LOVE ONE. MS. BERTIE WAS TRULY A WONDERDERFUL & BEAUTIFUL LADY SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. CHERISH ALL THE GOOD MEMORIES OF HER & “TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME”. LOVE, CATHY, MICHAEL, & CIERA YOUNG “
“To the Bowman/ Clark Family, you all hav deepest sympathy in the loss of Ms. Bertie. Every time I saw her she always had a smile on her face. May God comfort you in this trying time. “
“Dear Pat & Family, My prayers are with you in this time of grief. I loved Miss Bertie and did so many in our community. I always remember when as a new mother in 1960, living in Carver’s Height, Miss Bertie was the first visitor to bring me a gift for the baby. I have many other fond memories of Miss Bertie especially of how much she loved to dance. I knew of her by her fancy cars, before I actually met her, as she sailed by on the road between Leonardtown and Chaptico. I’ll always treasure my memories of Miss Bertie. May God keep you all in peace and you keep Miss Bertie close in your memories of her as I know you will. Her life was a joy to many. Sincerely, Mary Martin “
“Bertie was one of a kind, she always had a kind smile and a great story to share with all. I remember many times seeing her at the fish dinners and Spring Festivals at IHM, always busy helping. She was a great lady and she will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. God Bless”
“”To the Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. May God wrap you in his loving arms and comfort you.””
“Ms. Pat and family, Please accept our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. “
“To Pat & the Bowman family. I give you my deepest sympathy to you all. I am so sorry for your loss. Stay strong and may Ms. Bertie rest in peace.”
“”To the Family, My Condolences for your loss, Ms. Bertie was a loving person, who I have know for years and was always the same. May God watch over all of the Family at this time, peace be with you. “
“Miss. Bertie was truly an inspirational woman. She was always very positive and determined and I will surely remember her smile. May she Rest in Peace.”
“To the Family, You have my deepest sympathy.”
“My Prayers and Condolences are with the Bowman Family.Ms Bertie Bowman to me was the real Black Super Woman of St.Marys Co.I remember when Chopticon High School kicked me out of school for no real good reason,only probably i was Black. I heard about this lady name Ms.Bertie Bowman from the NAACP,never really knew who she was until 1986. My Mama Edna C Baker-Hall called Ms.Bertie Bowman she was a good friend to my Mother. This Super Woman came walking into Chopticon High School for a Big Meeting with the Board Of Education. I never will forget it,she had a black briefcase and she was dressed like a Movie Star,and she talked so professionally,she walked like a Lady and she talked like a Lady.I graduated 1986 ! THANK YOU MS.BERTIE BOWMAN !”
“My Condolences and Prayers go out to your family. Ms. Bertie was a wonderful woman and will be missed. May God Bless you and Keep you always.”
“My sympathies to the family. Your loss is deeply felt in the community. Ms. Bertie was a huge part St. Mary’s and was known to be an advocate for the people, and stand up, do right woman. She wore a lot of different hats for a lot of us growing up, from confidante, grandmother, mother, aunt, whatever you may have needed. Loved her but God loved her best.”
“Pat: Being out of state does not always permit me to know of events that have occurred, but I wanted to pass on my condolences. I, as well as other STS drivers, had the privilege of transporting Bertie. You were faithful to her and she was always quite the bundle of humor for us on the bus. Again, I wanted to share this with you and also pass on my sorrow for your loss.”
“I am so sorry for your loss. Barbara”