Shirley Bowling

PRINCETON - Shirley Mae Bowling, 77, of Princeton, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 13, 2013 after her final courageous battle with cancer. Born October 14, 1935 in Bluefield, she was the daughter of the late Henry Watson and Josephine Hutton Watson. She was raised the only girl among four brothers and she learned to be a fighter and developed her tenacious spirit which she carried with her all her days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, William Watson, Robert Watson and Roy Watson; and one grandson, Travis Churchwell. She worked in the grocery business for years, retiring in 1991. What she will be remembered for most is how she loved. Her daughter said she was "the best person I've ever known", her granddaughter stated in a final letter "she made you feel like you were the most important person in the world". Her brother said "she is the strongest person I've ever meet." She was: kind, selfless, full of grace, generous, loving, always thought positively, loved children, loved to feed the birds, devoted wife, amazing mother, loving grandmother, and enduring great-grandmother. Our loss will be irreplaceable yet she will remain present in the hearts of her family for as long as they live. Survivors include her husband of 55 years and the love of her life, Danny Bowling, of Princeton; five children, Nancy Churchwell of Eastampton, NJ, Julie Linkous of Princeton, Debbie Simmons of Phoenix, AZ, Lynn Coleman of Richmond, VA and Steve Bowling of Princeton; five grandchildren, Jeremy Visnesky of Gordonsville, VA, Allison Perkins of Phoenix, AZ, Jennifer Hudspeth of Mt. Holly, NJ, Sharon Huth of Eastampton, NJ, Ashley Raposo of Locust Grove, VA; four great grandchildren Maci Jo, Kade and Karter Perkins all of Phoenix, AZ and Abel Raposo of Locust Grove, VA; and one brother, Donnie Watson of Charlotte, NC. A cryptside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at the Resthaven Memorial Park Mausoleum in Princeton with the Rev. Mike Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 122 South High Street., Morgantown, WV 26501. Friends and family attending the service are asked to meet at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton by 1:30 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

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Shirley Bowling

January 13, 2013