Wallace "Wally" Bowden

Wallace Lance Bowden

June 20,1932 Louisburg, North Carolina - February 3, 2022, Live Oak, FL

Wally left Louisburg, North Carolina after high school to take his first ocean cruise courtesy of the U.S. Government in 1953.  He served in Korea as a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army and discharged honorably in December 1954. When asked about his service he would later tell his children and grandchildren that the fighting was almost over when he got there, because “they knew I was coming.”

After returning home, he attended the Dell School of Laboratory Technology in Asheville, North Carolina.  He left North Carolina upon graduation to seek a job in Miami near his mother’s sister, Aunt Clara.  He stopped in Live Oak for gas. Across the street he saw the hospital and remembered a former classmate worked there.  He walked into Suwannee County Hospital and never made it to Miami.  He was offered a job and a place to live on the spot.

A little while later, an OB Nurse caught his eye who herself was only in Live Oak to work a few months before she was to head off to Jacksonville’s Riverside Hospital.  In September of 1961 he married that nurse, Danny Jean Mills of Live Oak.

One year after the wedding, Wally and Danny welcomed their first daughter, Carol Denise, and three years later, a second daughter Barbara Elaine.

Wally and Danny provided their girls with the best possible childhood in Live Oak with many ballet, piano, and dance practices and recitals. When the Dance Studio Director decided to put on My Fair Lady as the year end recital, Wally was tapped to play Professor Higgins.  Later in life he would often remind family and friends of his “acting career”.  Wally was focused on providing for his family and to send his girls to college.  He worked not only in Live Oak, but also in the hospitals in nearby Jasper and Madison on weekends.  His daughters graduated from Florida State University without one dollar of debt.

Later as Denise married Kelly Jordan and Barb married Tim Foley, they welcomed four grandchildren who they adored, and upon which lavished much love.   Camp NanaPapa was the Summer Camp any kid would dream of.  Camp activities included programs such as, eating ice cream in bed, pool parties on the deck, sprinkler run-throughs, Sunday funny-paper readings, and stories, lots of stories often not entirely true like how grits grow on special plants only found in the swamp.  Thankfully Nana was in charge of the meals as Papa never figured out where they kept the plates.

After retirement, Wally found the love of working with wood.  He built a workshop in the back yard and seemed to bring home a new saw or tool every week because, you know, he “needed it”.  The grandchildren loved to see what Papa would make next.  If something broke, you would often hear “give it to Papa! He can fix anything!” Each grandchild has more than a few special treasures made by Papa in his workshop along with many more precious memories.

An avid golfer who organized and won many tournaments at Suwannee Valley Country Club, so many that he “had to” build a special shelf for the trophies.  He also served as the President of the Country Club and the Live Oak Lions club.

Wally is predeceased by his parents, John Onnie and Mabel Mitchell Bowden, his sister Dorothy Tippett, and his younger brothers, Johnny and Astor Bowden.  He leaves his loving wife of 60 years Danny who he adored.  His daughters Denise and Barb, along with their husbands, Kelly Jordan and Tim Foley will miss him beyond measure.  His grandchildren, Katherine Foley and her wife Ashley Lesh, Andrew Jordan, Emily Jordan, and Elizabeth Foley have his love forever imprinted on their hearts.

Funeral services were held, 4:00 PM, Monday, February 7, 2022 at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Phillip Herrington and Rev. Steve Sweitzer officiating.

Visitation was held one hour prior to the services from 3:00 to 4:00 PM at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the Seasoned Adults Ministry or the Meals Ministry at the First Baptist Church, 401 West Howard Street, Live Oak, FL 32064.

Private family graveside services were held in the Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery the following day.

Please keep the Bowden family in your prayers today and the days ahead.