Barbara Martin Bowden

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. 2 Timothy 4:7 Barbara Martin Bowden, a native of Baton Rouge and resident of Central, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2017 surrounded by family and loved ones, at the age of 75. Barbara was a 1959 graduate of Istrouma High School and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Louisiana State University. She was employed as a teacher by East Baton Rouge Parish School System, teaching for over 50 years. In 1978, Barbara founded Jean Leigh Academy of Dance. She was an active member of Comite Baptist Church and the Joy Sunday school class. She was preceded in death by her father, Homer Glover Martin, II; mother, Geneva Williams Martin; a sister, Mildred Martin Turner; and a brother, Homer Glover Martin, III. Barbara is survived by her husband of 56 years, JW McCray Bowden, Jr.; daughter, Dianna Jones and son-in-law, Larry Keith Jones; daughter, Darla Hilburn and her husband Russell; son, Steven McCray Bowden, Sr. and his wife Denise; grandchildren, Jesse Jones, Benjamin Jones and his wife Kelcey, Ethan Hilburn, Cora Hilburn, Daniel Hilburn, Steven McCray Bowden, Jr. and Alyssia Bowden; great grandchild, Ezra Ellerman Jones; brothers, Allen Martin and his wife Judy, Dallas Martin and his wife Carol; brothers-in-law, Fred Turner and Ralph Bowden; sister-in-law Linda Hanna and her husband, George; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5-9 pm. Visitation will resume on Friday, February 24, 2017 from 9 am until religious services at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in Louisiana National Cemetery. Pallbearers: Jesse Jones, Benjamin Jones, Ethan Hilburn, Daniel Hilburn, Cliff Bowden, Larry Keith Jones, Raymond Dupuy and Dennis Eisworth. Honorary pallbearers: Russell Hilburn and Steven McCray Bowden, Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.