Joan Latimer Bowker-Lunsford's Obituary
Joan was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, wife, and friend...a person dear to so many hearts. She loved life and lived it fully. She enjoyed traveling, going out to eat, visiting friends and family, bowling, going to Tunica and Metropolis, and bargain shopping. She thoroughly relished talking on the phone and kept in close contact with both family and friends, especially those from her days at American Airlines. Joan always had a kind word to say to everyone and a beautiful smile. Joan grew up in the country between Hendersonville and Gallatin. Her parents, Harris and Floutie, had three daughters: Shirley Green (married to E.C.), Joan, and Bonnie (deceased) Floutie passed away while Joan was small and her father later remarried. Her stepmother, Beatrice,was close to her and helped in her childhood rearing. Her maternal aunt, Lois (Gossage) was involved with her life and provided emotional support as well. After high school, she married Ary Bowker, moved to Detroit, and had two children: Ary (Butch) and Betty. She divorced Ary and she and the children moved back to Sumner County and lived on her father's property. They later bought a house and moved to Madison.While Butch and Betty were growing up, Joan had several jobs. She was a Studio Girl Cosmetics rep and she and the kids would sell products door-to-door. She did well with the business. She later became a telephone operator for the phone company, South Central Bell. She worked there for quite a number of years, over a decade. After leaving, she worked at American Airlines where she later retired. During her employment at South Central Bell, she met Gene Lunsford, and they married. They were united until his death, approximately 10 years later, from lung cancer. Joan was very close to both her children (Butch and Betty) and her daughter-in-law (Pam) and son-in-law (Allen) as well. Her three grandchildren Clifford Lytle (Rhonda), Lindsey Bowker Brown, and Sarah Bowker were her pride and joys. Her two great granddaughters Scarlett Brown and Rhiannon Lytle were double blessings to her. She adored them all and they in turn adored her. They shared many happy times and memories.Joan shared a strong bond with her older sister, Shirley and her husband, E.C. She was close to Shirley's five children: Michelle Wassell (Joe), Chuck Green, Richard Green, Randy Green, and Troy Green. She also cared about their respective grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well.Joan loved her aunt, Lois (Gossage), too. Her mother's baby sister, Lois, stepped in after her sister, Flouties's death, to do what she could to help Joan and Joan's father, Harris.The one thing we think of when we think of Joan: her love of nature. She was a strong supporter of animals and loved all types, especially birds. She shared a unique friendship with Betty's dog, Wendy, who not only adopted Joan, but a litter of kittens as well. Joan also became pals with Rocky, the local raccoon, who liked Joan so much, she periodically brought her babies by for a visit. She loved flowers and was a whiz at making things grow. Her favorite hero was John Wayne. We will miss everything about her. Especially her smile.... Funeral services will be conducted at 10 A.M., Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from the Chapel of Spring Hill Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M., Tuesday, November 1 at Spring Hill Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital or to Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
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