Dora E. Bowman
MRS. BOWMAN IS CLAIMED BY DEATH FRIDAY MORNING
Was Visiting Daughter in Houston – Funeral and Burial Here.
Plano Star-Courier, April 17, 1930
Mrs. Dora E. Bowman, wife of the late J. H. (Jack) Bowman of this city died at the Methodist hospital in Houston early Friday morning of last week. She was visiting her daughter, Mrs. James R. Adams in that city and was stricken with paralysis Sunday night, April. 6.
The remains arrived in Dallas Friday evening at 6:30 o’clock and were conveyed to Plano by automobile hearse.
One of the largest funerals ever held in South Collin was that of Mrs. Bowman Sunday afternoon at the First Methodist Church in Plano, conducted by her pastor, Reverend Earl J. Patton, assisted by Dr. George S. Sexton, president of Centenary Methodist college at Shreveport, Louisiana, a former pastor at Plano. Interment followed in the Odd Fellows cemetery under the direction of the Harrington Undertaking establishment with the following active pallbearers: R. C. Fortner, R. C. Hays, A. A. Bagwill, D. S. Coleman, R. B. Howey and W. M. Chaddick.
Honorary Pallbearers.
F. Schimelpfenig, John Haggard, John McKamy, George P. Brown of McKinney, S. M. Harrington, Wallace Hughston of McKinney, J. H. Gulledge, T. F. Hughston, C. S. Haggard, J. W. Shepard, Sr., Jim Angel, H. B. Carlisle, E. G. Graves, Frank Armstrong, Walter B. Wilson of McKinney, Jeff Robbins, Bill Christian, W. J. Hines, M. R. Kendrick, W. H. Chandler, Bob Abernathy, W. H. L. Wells, William Forman, J. M. Barron, Reverend W. T. Thurman, Morgan Brown, D. C. George, J. D. Cottrell, G. E. Carpenter, Dr. S. B. Wyatt, Auguste Lamm, Reverend W. E. Thomas, Nashville, Tennessee; Tom Andrews, John Weems, L Bailey, Denton; Robert Sandifer, N. S. Skaggs, E. C. Allen, Charles E. Hood, Earl Wetsel, F. H. Thompson, Gus W. Thomason and Linel McKamy of Dallas.
Others taking part in the impressive funeral services were Reverend C. L. Smith of Brazil, who led in prayer. A quartet composed of Miss Maude Overaker, Mrs. Lucy Bennett, both of Dallas, John Dee Brent of Plano and Tom Allen Hughston of McKinney sang “What a Wonderful Time That Will Be, “ a song composed by the deceased and the music of which was arranged by her brother-in-law, R. H. Coleman, assistant pastor of the First Baptist church at Dallas. A duet “Take Your Burdens to the Lord and Leave Them There,” by R. H. Coleman and sister, Mrs. E. O. Harrington.
Dr. Sexton’s Tribute.
Dr. Geroge S. Sexton of Shreveport, Louisiana, a former pastor of the deceased, stated that among the splendid heroines who had pioneered woman’s missionary and other church work of the North Texas Conference, Mrs. Jack Bowman stands out among the very foremost. He touched the high spots of her noble character, as touching the social, religious life of the people and pronounced her home a model of culture and refinement, and one of delightful Christina atmosphere. She inspired young people to acquire Christian education I preparation of missionary work both in home and foreign fields. She took a young Mexican as one of her own daughters in her home, giving her a high school education and training invoice and piano and then secured a scholarship in the Scarritt Bible and Training school in preparation for teaching and missionary work in Mexico. She led in the movement that raised the funds and established the Eliza Bowman school at Cienfuegoes, Cuba, where it has continued its ministry of education and uplift until the present time. She conferred the name it bears in honor of her sister-in-law, Eliza Bowman, of Plano, rather than take the honor herself. She was largely the inspiration of her niece, Miss May Dye, now the wife of Reverend C. L. Smith, director of the Methodist publishing house in Brazil, to prepare herself for missionary work in that country where her efforts have been crowned with a large measure of success. Through Ruby Kendrick, she touched the life of Korea in an enduring way. These, together with the fruits of her life in the United States, made her career one whose christianizing and civilizing influence will continue to be felt through all time to come. Reverend O. S. Thomas of Dallas, a life-long friend of the deceased also eulogized her wonderful leadership and life-work for the church and for christianizing uplift of the people of the various foreign countries that she became interested in as well as here in her own land.
Native of Plano.
Madora Ellen Dye was born at Plano, February 6, 1855 therefore, being 75 years old on the 6th day of February, this year. She resided her entire life in Plano. Her father was Dr. Henry M. Dye, who immigrated from Virginia in 1849 and settled at Plano. He was later a surgeon in the Confederate army, who died early in life. Her mother was Sara Elizabeth Skiles, who came from Kentucky about the same time her father landed in Texas. The deceased was born on the old homestead of her parents just South of Plano. She received her early education first in the public school at Plano and later in the Methodist Female college at Dallas. Her interest and impulse towards missionary work came from reading the life and labors of David Livingston. With the passing years the fruitage of her convictions and activities was the inspiration of others and especially young people to consecrate their lives to special service in the missionary field. She was married to Jackson H. Bowman at Plano, July 13, 1872, where they established their happy home, from which went out untold refining Christian influence.
Her Proteges.
She was the eldest of a family of two brothers and seven sisters. The death of her parents, left her to mother her younger sisters and brothers, who were Henry M. Dye of Dallas, deceased; Mrs. A. Angel, Plano, deceased; Mrs. J. W. Brown, Plano, deceased; Mrs. G. W. Keyser, Plano, deceased; Mrs. W. G. Keyser, Plano, deceased; Mrs. R. H. Coleman, Dallas; Mrs. J. L. Aldridge, Plano, and Dr. Tom C. Dye, Plano. Besides her two surviving sisters and one living brother, she leaves three children – J. H. (Henry) Bowman, Plano; Mrs. James R. Adams, Houston, and Mrs. J. Edgar Wall, Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Mrs. Dora Bowman Ley of Dallas, Mrs. W. D. Haggard, Plano; Jack Bowman, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Mrs. J. C. Evans, Tampa, Florida; J. E. Wall, Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by five great grandchildren: Eula Estelle Ley, Dallas; Fannie Mae Haggard and Florie Kate Haggard, both of Plano; Jack Wall Evans and Anna Wall Evans, both of Tampa, Florida. She also helped to rear her nephew, J. F. Russell of Dallas and her niece, Mrs. May Dye Smith of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Her husband, Jack H. Bowman, came to Plano when he was 15 years old from Sweetwater, Tennessee. His parents settled one and one-half miles northeast of Plano. He died March 14, 1923. The present farm owned by Mrs. Bowman is a part of the land headrighted by her father-in-law.
Her Church Work.
She became a member of the second foreign missionary society to be organized in North Texas and served as its president. She served six years as district secretary of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Conference, and in 1898 was elected president of the conference serving continuously for nine years. The Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society and the Woman’s Home Missionary Society of the Southern Methodist denomination was merged in 1912. She served in such capacities as district secretary, superintendent of reading courses and in other places of leadership.
Fruits of Her Leadership.
During her administration as president of the Foreign Missionary Conference, four noble young women went from the North Texas Conference to foreign fields in the persons of Miss Norwood Wynn, Miss Ruby Kendrick, Miss May Spivy and Miss May Dye. Two of these, Ruby Kendrick and May Dye, were Plano girls, who had grown up under Mrs. Bowman’s influence, the latter being a niece and residing in her home through childhood and youth. As state above, she helped educate and equip Mrs. Andres Osuna, a Mexican girl, as Methodist Missionary school worker in that country. She also led in the movement to establish the Eliza Bowman school in Cuba. She was a co-worker with the late Miss Belle H. Bennett. Who can name the stars in this good woman’s crown fro and through these various missionary workers and institutions that she was so largely responsible for. Her long life was filled with unabated interest and unswerving efforts to help others to reach a place of usefulness to society and to the church. She radiated sunshine. Her cheerful temperament and cordial, loving heart endeared her to everyone and rendered her leadership for the church and christianity one of large fruitfulness.
As Dr. Sexton said, “A crown of sparkling jewels awaited her arrival in glory land.” She helped lay the foundation of woman’s organized work in her church and brought about marvelous achievements for the spiritual life of the people.
As stated above, Mrs. Bowman passed away at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, while on a visit to her daughter, and husband in that city. Masses of beautiful floral offerings were sent to the home of Mrs. Adams in Houston, and also to the home of the deceased to which her body was shipped and literally covered the grave and family lot after the burial.
Attended Obsequies.
Among those who attended her obsequies were her sister workers and Woman’s Missionary Society leaders such as Mrs. P. C. Archer, Mrs. S. M. Black, Mrs. J. S. Turner, Mrs. Hudspeth, all of Dallas; Mrs. C. P. Heard of McKinney, Mrs. Fred Hall of Austin and others. Among the ministers present besides those participating in the services were Reverend R. G. Mood, presiding elder of McKinney; Reverend R. F. Bryant, missionary secretary of the North Texas conference, Dallas; Reverend S. M. Black of Dallas, and other ministers. Also Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Cason of Dallas, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Hughston, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wilson, Mrs. J. H. Warden, Mr. and Mrs. George P. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Gribble, Mrs. Daisy Bolton, Mrs. Roy Largent, Mrs. Glen Stiff, Mrs. Adam Bond, all of McKinney; Mr. and Mrs. C. Weems, Kidwell, Mr. and Mrs. Gus W. Thomason, Mrs. George W. Truett, Mrs. Wesley Norris, Mrs. Paul Cooper, Miss Emma Moseley, Mrs. Nanny Harding, Miss Maude Overaker, Miss E. Geddie, Mrs. W. F. Mister, Grand Reddick, Henry Lewis, T. A. Johnson and wife, J. J. Russell and wife, all of Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Parr, Alice, Texas; Mrs. R. S. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Coleman, Mr and Mrs. D. T. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. Will H. Dye, Mrs. H. M. Dye, Dr. and Mrs. Plenecker, Mr. and Mrs. Will Carter, all of Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Wootton, Denton; Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Brent of Dallas, Mrs. Sante Bargiere, Brazilian Christian missionary, George Arthur Angel, both of Fort Worth; E. Skiles, Tyler, Texas; Miss Josie McFarlin and Audrey McFarlin, both of Dallas; Miss Layonia Glenn of Brazil, a Christian missionary student and many other friends widely scattered over the state.
Was Visiting Daughter in Houston – Funeral and Burial Here.
Plano Star-Courier, April 17, 1930
Mrs. Dora E. Bowman, wife of the late J. H. (Jack) Bowman of this city died at the Methodist hospital in Houston early Friday morning of last week. She was visiting her daughter, Mrs. James R. Adams in that city and was stricken with paralysis Sunday night, April. 6.
The remains arrived in Dallas Friday evening at 6:30 o’clock and were conveyed to Plano by automobile hearse.
One of the largest funerals ever held in South Collin was that of Mrs. Bowman Sunday afternoon at the First Methodist Church in Plano, conducted by her pastor, Reverend Earl J. Patton, assisted by Dr. George S. Sexton, president of Centenary Methodist college at Shreveport, Louisiana, a former pastor at Plano. Interment followed in the Odd Fellows cemetery under the direction of the Harrington Undertaking establishment with the following active pallbearers: R. C. Fortner, R. C. Hays, A. A. Bagwill, D. S. Coleman, R. B. Howey and W. M. Chaddick.
Honorary Pallbearers.
F. Schimelpfenig, John Haggard, John McKamy, George P. Brown of McKinney, S. M. Harrington, Wallace Hughston of McKinney, J. H. Gulledge, T. F. Hughston, C. S. Haggard, J. W. Shepard, Sr., Jim Angel, H. B. Carlisle, E. G. Graves, Frank Armstrong, Walter B. Wilson of McKinney, Jeff Robbins, Bill Christian, W. J. Hines, M. R. Kendrick, W. H. Chandler, Bob Abernathy, W. H. L. Wells, William Forman, J. M. Barron, Reverend W. T. Thurman, Morgan Brown, D. C. George, J. D. Cottrell, G. E. Carpenter, Dr. S. B. Wyatt, Auguste Lamm, Reverend W. E. Thomas, Nashville, Tennessee; Tom Andrews, John Weems, L Bailey, Denton; Robert Sandifer, N. S. Skaggs, E. C. Allen, Charles E. Hood, Earl Wetsel, F. H. Thompson, Gus W. Thomason and Linel McKamy of Dallas.
Others taking part in the impressive funeral services were Reverend C. L. Smith of Brazil, who led in prayer. A quartet composed of Miss Maude Overaker, Mrs. Lucy Bennett, both of Dallas, John Dee Brent of Plano and Tom Allen Hughston of McKinney sang “What a Wonderful Time That Will Be, “ a song composed by the deceased and the music of which was arranged by her brother-in-law, R. H. Coleman, assistant pastor of the First Baptist church at Dallas. A duet “Take Your Burdens to the Lord and Leave Them There,” by R. H. Coleman and sister, Mrs. E. O. Harrington.
Dr. Sexton’s Tribute.
Dr. Geroge S. Sexton of Shreveport, Louisiana, a former pastor of the deceased, stated that among the splendid heroines who had pioneered woman’s missionary and other church work of the North Texas Conference, Mrs. Jack Bowman stands out among the very foremost. He touched the high spots of her noble character, as touching the social, religious life of the people and pronounced her home a model of culture and refinement, and one of delightful Christina atmosphere. She inspired young people to acquire Christian education I preparation of missionary work both in home and foreign fields. She took a young Mexican as one of her own daughters in her home, giving her a high school education and training invoice and piano and then secured a scholarship in the Scarritt Bible and Training school in preparation for teaching and missionary work in Mexico. She led in the movement that raised the funds and established the Eliza Bowman school at Cienfuegoes, Cuba, where it has continued its ministry of education and uplift until the present time. She conferred the name it bears in honor of her sister-in-law, Eliza Bowman, of Plano, rather than take the honor herself. She was largely the inspiration of her niece, Miss May Dye, now the wife of Reverend C. L. Smith, director of the Methodist publishing house in Brazil, to prepare herself for missionary work in that country where her efforts have been crowned with a large measure of success. Through Ruby Kendrick, she touched the life of Korea in an enduring way. These, together with the fruits of her life in the United States, made her career one whose christianizing and civilizing influence will continue to be felt through all time to come. Reverend O. S. Thomas of Dallas, a life-long friend of the deceased also eulogized her wonderful leadership and life-work for the church and for christianizing uplift of the people of the various foreign countries that she became interested in as well as here in her own land.
Native of Plano.
Madora Ellen Dye was born at Plano, February 6, 1855 therefore, being 75 years old on the 6th day of February, this year. She resided her entire life in Plano. Her father was Dr. Henry M. Dye, who immigrated from Virginia in 1849 and settled at Plano. He was later a surgeon in the Confederate army, who died early in life. Her mother was Sara Elizabeth Skiles, who came from Kentucky about the same time her father landed in Texas. The deceased was born on the old homestead of her parents just South of Plano. She received her early education first in the public school at Plano and later in the Methodist Female college at Dallas. Her interest and impulse towards missionary work came from reading the life and labors of David Livingston. With the passing years the fruitage of her convictions and activities was the inspiration of others and especially young people to consecrate their lives to special service in the missionary field. She was married to Jackson H. Bowman at Plano, July 13, 1872, where they established their happy home, from which went out untold refining Christian influence.
Her Proteges.
She was the eldest of a family of two brothers and seven sisters. The death of her parents, left her to mother her younger sisters and brothers, who were Henry M. Dye of Dallas, deceased; Mrs. A. Angel, Plano, deceased; Mrs. J. W. Brown, Plano, deceased; Mrs. G. W. Keyser, Plano, deceased; Mrs. W. G. Keyser, Plano, deceased; Mrs. R. H. Coleman, Dallas; Mrs. J. L. Aldridge, Plano, and Dr. Tom C. Dye, Plano. Besides her two surviving sisters and one living brother, she leaves three children – J. H. (Henry) Bowman, Plano; Mrs. James R. Adams, Houston, and Mrs. J. Edgar Wall, Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Mrs. Dora Bowman Ley of Dallas, Mrs. W. D. Haggard, Plano; Jack Bowman, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Mrs. J. C. Evans, Tampa, Florida; J. E. Wall, Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by five great grandchildren: Eula Estelle Ley, Dallas; Fannie Mae Haggard and Florie Kate Haggard, both of Plano; Jack Wall Evans and Anna Wall Evans, both of Tampa, Florida. She also helped to rear her nephew, J. F. Russell of Dallas and her niece, Mrs. May Dye Smith of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Her husband, Jack H. Bowman, came to Plano when he was 15 years old from Sweetwater, Tennessee. His parents settled one and one-half miles northeast of Plano. He died March 14, 1923. The present farm owned by Mrs. Bowman is a part of the land headrighted by her father-in-law.
Her Church Work.
She became a member of the second foreign missionary society to be organized in North Texas and served as its president. She served six years as district secretary of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Conference, and in 1898 was elected president of the conference serving continuously for nine years. The Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society and the Woman’s Home Missionary Society of the Southern Methodist denomination was merged in 1912. She served in such capacities as district secretary, superintendent of reading courses and in other places of leadership.
Fruits of Her Leadership.
During her administration as president of the Foreign Missionary Conference, four noble young women went from the North Texas Conference to foreign fields in the persons of Miss Norwood Wynn, Miss Ruby Kendrick, Miss May Spivy and Miss May Dye. Two of these, Ruby Kendrick and May Dye, were Plano girls, who had grown up under Mrs. Bowman’s influence, the latter being a niece and residing in her home through childhood and youth. As state above, she helped educate and equip Mrs. Andres Osuna, a Mexican girl, as Methodist Missionary school worker in that country. She also led in the movement to establish the Eliza Bowman school in Cuba. She was a co-worker with the late Miss Belle H. Bennett. Who can name the stars in this good woman’s crown fro and through these various missionary workers and institutions that she was so largely responsible for. Her long life was filled with unabated interest and unswerving efforts to help others to reach a place of usefulness to society and to the church. She radiated sunshine. Her cheerful temperament and cordial, loving heart endeared her to everyone and rendered her leadership for the church and christianity one of large fruitfulness.
As Dr. Sexton said, “A crown of sparkling jewels awaited her arrival in glory land.” She helped lay the foundation of woman’s organized work in her church and brought about marvelous achievements for the spiritual life of the people.
As stated above, Mrs. Bowman passed away at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, while on a visit to her daughter, and husband in that city. Masses of beautiful floral offerings were sent to the home of Mrs. Adams in Houston, and also to the home of the deceased to which her body was shipped and literally covered the grave and family lot after the burial.
Attended Obsequies.
Among those who attended her obsequies were her sister workers and Woman’s Missionary Society leaders such as Mrs. P. C. Archer, Mrs. S. M. Black, Mrs. J. S. Turner, Mrs. Hudspeth, all of Dallas; Mrs. C. P. Heard of McKinney, Mrs. Fred Hall of Austin and others. Among the ministers present besides those participating in the services were Reverend R. G. Mood, presiding elder of McKinney; Reverend R. F. Bryant, missionary secretary of the North Texas conference, Dallas; Reverend S. M. Black of Dallas, and other ministers. Also Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Cason of Dallas, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Hughston, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wilson, Mrs. J. H. Warden, Mr. and Mrs. George P. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Gribble, Mrs. Daisy Bolton, Mrs. Roy Largent, Mrs. Glen Stiff, Mrs. Adam Bond, all of McKinney; Mr. and Mrs. C. Weems, Kidwell, Mr. and Mrs. Gus W. Thomason, Mrs. George W. Truett, Mrs. Wesley Norris, Mrs. Paul Cooper, Miss Emma Moseley, Mrs. Nanny Harding, Miss Maude Overaker, Miss E. Geddie, Mrs. W. F. Mister, Grand Reddick, Henry Lewis, T. A. Johnson and wife, J. J. Russell and wife, all of Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Parr, Alice, Texas; Mrs. R. S. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Coleman, Mr and Mrs. D. T. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. Will H. Dye, Mrs. H. M. Dye, Dr. and Mrs. Plenecker, Mr. and Mrs. Will Carter, all of Dallas; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Wootton, Denton; Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Brent of Dallas, Mrs. Sante Bargiere, Brazilian Christian missionary, George Arthur Angel, both of Fort Worth; E. Skiles, Tyler, Texas; Miss Josie McFarlin and Audrey McFarlin, both of Dallas; Miss Layonia Glenn of Brazil, a Christian missionary student and many other friends widely scattered over the state.