Original Memory Book for Jonnie Bowlds

Homegoing Services for

Jonnie Bowlds

1940 - 2023

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Service Held at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church

1204 West 14 th Street Marion, IN 46953

Rev. Carison Adams – Pastor

Officiating Pastor Carison Adams Repast

Faulkner Community Center Internment

Grant Memorial Cemetery

Marion, IN

Obituary

Jonnie Elvie (Speikes) Bowlds, the daughter of John and Elvie Anna (Thurman) Speikes was born July 17, 1940, in Greenwood, Mississippi. At the age of two, they relocated to Marion, Indiana. The oldest of twelve, Jonnie was baptized at St Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Kennedy, then later Rev. R.H. Faulkner, she continued her service under Rev. Carison Adams until her health began to fail.

In 1957, Jonnie met and fell in love with the love or her life, Larry Bowlds. They were married in November of 1958. The marriage was witnessed by bridesmaid, Thelma (Birdie) Cobb and best man, David Pettiford. Their happy union produced three proud children- Larri Alesia BowldsWilliams, Delona Jylvette Moore, and Russell Anthony Bowlds. Jonnie loved her family. She only entrusted Mary Wofford, Pat Brani, and Shirley Carradine to babysit her children outside of immediate family. She was an avid believer that “can’t never did anything” and she instilled strong work ethic and discipline as average was not an option. Jonnie was an encouraging person, she was always willing to assist and encourage not only family, but all who were open to higher achievements. She and Larry were pillars and well-respected members of the community.

She began her career as a teaching assistant at Frances Slocum Elementary School. Later, she worked at RCA before becoming the first black employee at WBAT radio station for several years. She ended her career with the Marion Social Security Administration, where she worked for 20 years. After retirement, she and Larry continued to create the perfect love story through travel. They visited many places across the United States and went on many cruises. During this time, they also relocated to Greenville, Mississippi to enjoy old friends and warmer winters. 15 years later, Larry and Jonnie returned home to Marion, where they continued their work in the community and strengthened their commitment to family.

Surrounded by her loved ones, on April 21, 2023, Jonnie quietly surrendered her earthly vessel and was called home rest. She is reunited in heaven with her husband of 60 years, Larry Bowlds, her parents, John and Elvie Anna Speikes, her father- John Henry Hinton and her siblings: Paul Edward Speikes, James Charles Hazelwood, and sister Jacqueline Saffold.

Left to cherish her unforgettable memories are her children: Larri Alesia Bowlds-Williams of Marion, IN, Delona Jylvette (Garry) Moore of Houston, TX and Russell Anthony Bowlds of Marion, IN; seven grandchildren, Amber Williams of Dallas, TX, April (Jarrett) Powell of Indianapolis, IN, Adrianna Moore of Houston, TX, Garry B. Moore of Houston, TX, Sierra Harris of Lafayette, IN, Natalya Williams of Marion, IN, and Brandon Williams of Statesboro, GA; one beloved uncle: Edward (Jennette) Thurman of Compton, CA; siblings: Myers Anthony Speikes of Marion, IN, Sylvester Speikes of Marion, IN, John Foster (Jo) Speikes of Lavernia, TX, Brenda Whitlock of Marion, IN, Karen Jones of Marion, IN, Darl Speikes of Dallas, TX, Jerry (Cheryl) Speikes of Marion, IN, Lynn (Leon) Nicholson of Marion, IN, Jerome (Annette) Speikes of Flower Mound, TX, Rodrick (Dawn) Speikes of Marion, IN, Johnny (Bobbie) Barner of Atlanta, GA, James P. Hinton of Forest City, AR, Barbara Turner of Los Angeles, CA, TW (Marilyn) Cooper of Itta Bena, MS, Sarah Hinton of Columbus, OH, Katherine Spivey of Itta Bena, MS, Willie (Mona) Hinton of Little Rock, AR, Stonewell Williams of Chula, MS; two sisters in law: Roberta Bowlds of Rockvale, TN and Patricia Bowlds of Phoenix, AZ; special cousins: Roberta Fristoe of Chicago, IL and Bernice Smith of Marion, IN; lifelong friends: Carol Jones of Marion, IN, Thelma (Birdie) Cobb of Marion, IN and Shirley Randle of Marion, IN; six great grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.

Order of service

PROCESSIONAL | Music played by Shawn Woodgett

READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT | Rev. Pete Burton

READING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT | Rev. Vincent Ben Lewis

SONG SELECTION | Cynthia Owensby-Starks

PRAYER OF COMFORT | Elder Thomas Nukes

RESOLUTION & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | Ericka Smith

SONG SELECTION | Cynthia Owensby Starks & Lori Pettiford

WORDS OF EXPRESSION | As a Sister – Lynn Nicholson

As an Aunt – Fab Four

CELEBRATION OF LIFE TRIBUTE | Slide Presentation

SONG DEDICATION | Russell Bowlds

EULOGY | Pastor Carison Adams

BENEDICTION

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Larry and Jonnie, reunited in heaven.

Dear Mother

You were there…

You were there when we took our first steps, And went unsteadily across the floor. You pushed and prodded: encouraged and guided, Until our steps took us out the door… You worry now “Are they ok?”

Is there more you could have done? As we walk the paths of our unknown You wonder “Where have my children gone?” Where we are is where you have led us, With your special love you showed us a way, To believe in ourselves and the decisions we make. Taking on the challenge of life day-to-day. And where we go you can be sure, In spirit you shall never be alone. For where you are is what matters most to us, Because to us that will always be home…

Love your Daughter,

Larri Alesia Bowlds – Williams

She’s the whisper of the leaves as I walk down the street. She’s the smell of certain foods I remember, flowers I pick, and the fragrance of life itself.

She’s the cool hand on my brow when I’m not feeling well. She’s my breath in the air on a cold winters’ day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls me to sleep, the colors of a rainbow.

She is my late morning wake up.

My mother lives inside my laughter. She’s the place I come from, my first home. She’s the map I follow with every step I take. She’s my first love, my first role model, even my first enemy. But nothing on Earth can separate her.

Not time.

Not space.

Not even death.

Although you’ve left this earth and now you’ve taken flight, I know that you are here with me each morning, noon, and night. You suffered in silence every day, An illness that would not go away.

But now you have no more pain

For God’s loving arms have healed you again.

Thank you, Mother, through your love and guidance I am the strong woman I am today.

Love you,

Delona Jylvette Moore

My Mother is always with me.

Dear Mom

Just thought I would take the time To let you know what’s on my mind

To express today what I feel everyday Things that I don’t always say You give here, you give there

And I know at times you don’t think I care You say this and you say that

Probably thinkin’ I take it for granite

But I would like you to know that I care And appreciate the fact that you were always there

I’m glad to have had you as my Mother

If I had a choice, I would choose no other Please know this is forever so true Mother, I do LOVE YOU!

Your Loving Son, Russell Anthony

WORDS OF GRATITUDE

Once again, people everywhere, from all walks of life have given us so many things intangible and dear. We couldn’t begin to count them all, or even make them clear; we only know we owe so much to everyone. You have brought sunshine into our home; you have visited, prayed, through gifts of all kinds, called asked about us and simply cared. For this we are thankful. Our sorrow is easier to bear with the help from God and friends like you. We appreciate all you have done for us during our time of bereavement. A special thank you to Angels of Mercy, Adrienne Howard, Cheryl Speikes, Lynn Nicholson, Charrisse Graham and Heart to Heart Hospice for your warm and tender care of our precious mother. May God richly bless you all.

Lisa, Jyl and Russell

PALLBEARERS HONORARY PALLBEARERS

Leon Nicholson

Stephen Speikes

Marc Speikes

Marc Howard

Garry B. Moore

Randall Speikes

Danny Bowlds

Marcus Nicholson

Myers Speikes

Sylvester Speikes

Foster Speikes

Jerry Speikes

Darl Speikes

Jerome Speikes

Rodrick Speikes

Garry E. Moore

“His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord .”

Matthew 25:23