Bernice Bowen

Bernice Bowen, 85, of Campbellsville, daughter of the late James Henry Mardis and Dellie Sullivan Mardis, was born on March 16, 1935 in Taylor County, Kentucky. She died at 9:21 a.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2020, in Campbellsville. She professed faith in Christ and was a member of Mannsville United Methodist Church. She served as treasurer, children’s Sunday School teacher, communion preparer, and church caretaker for Mt. Zion United Methodist Church prior to its closure. Bernice worked on her family homestead from childhood. She joined her husband, J.R. Bowen, in managing their dairy and tobacco farm. She also worked among family and friends at Union Underwear and as a seamstress at Cozy Comforts on Main Street. Bernice served her church, family, and community with grace, love, earnestness, and deep devotion. She was a caring spouse, loving mother, and proud Mamaw. Bernice often said that we write our obituary by the way we live our daily lives. Her life focused on the care and support of family and friends and the daily fight to keep a farm house clean. She took comfort in Scripture and evenings on the porch swing with her husband and the purple martins. She is and continues to be a good and faithful servant of God. She united in marriage with J.R. (Jerdon Robert) Bowen on May 19, 1954, who preceded her in death on May 2, 2019. Bernice is survived by one son and one daughter, Mike Bowen and wife, April, of Campbellsville and Robin Bowen and husband, Daniel Bucca, of Alexandria, Virginia; four grandchildren: Clay Bowen of Campbellsville, Shelley Hamilton and husband, Shawn, of Cox’s Creek, Joseph Bucca of Alexandria, Virginia, and Emma Bucca of Alexandria, Virginia; two great-grandchildren: Blake Hamilton and Bailey Hamilton; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bernice was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters: Charles Mardis, Thomas (Tom) Mardis, Lela Harmon, Leola Sallee, Louise Bohanon, and foster sister Betty Thrasher Stearman. _______________ AS MANDATED BY THE GOVERNOR, SERVICES WILL BE PRIVATE. BURIAL: Campbellsville Memorial Gardens THE FAMILY REQUESTS EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY IN THE FORM OF DONATIONS TO MANNSVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND MAY BE MADE THROUGH PARROTT & RAMSEY FUNERAL HOME