Edith Arden Ashley Bowlin, called Arden by most and Ardie by her grandchildren, passed away on October 18, 2020 after a lengthy struggle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease complicated by the coronavirus.
Arden was born in Homer, LA on June 28, 1952 to Edith and Ransom Ashley. She graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1968, and was a lifelong resident of Shreveport.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edith Ashley and Ransom Euell Ashley, her sister, Glenda Colvin, her brothers, Ronald Earl and Carroll Stephen Ashley, her stepson, Scott Bowlin, and nephew David Colvin.
Those who survive and celebrate her life include husband of 33 years, William Bowlin, brother, Horace Ashley, daughters, Kellie Alagic and husband Gorjan, Courtney Jones and husband Rich, stepsons Rocky Bowlin and wife Sheila, Doug Bowlin and wife Heather , and Jon Bowlin and fiancee Annie Sprayberry. She is also survived by her grandchildren, including Hannah Bowlin, James Bowlin, Brandon Bowlin and wife Macy, Daniel Bowlin and wife Danielle, Brett Bowlin, Austin Bowlin and wife Hannah, Conner Bowlin, Sydnie Bowlin, Adrian Alagic, Evan Alagic, Lucas Alagic, and great grandchildren Allie Bowlin, Tristen Bowlin, Brycen Bowlin, Wilder Bowlin, and Peyton Bowlin, and many nieces and nephews.
Before Alzheimer’s slowly erased her memory, Arden was a loving and generous person, known for her cooking and support in a crisis. She planned fantastic gatherings and absolutely loved decorating for every holiday. She was fun to be around, always had a joke or a story to tell, and she knew the words to almost every Motown song. She loved to take a trip, whether to visit family or to find a new outlet mall. More than anything, Arden was completely loyal and devoted to those she loved. Though she didn’t remember in the end, her family finds great comfort in knowing that she again remembers not only all of these things, but also knows who she is.
A visitation will be held at Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, LA on Wednesday, October 21st at 10:00am, with a funeral service following at 11:00am. The burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. COVID-19 precautions will be required.
Pallbearers will be James Colvin, Grant Jonkheer, Brandon Bowlin, Daniel Bowlin, Jon Bowlin, and Wayne Ashley.
The family wishes to thank the staff at The Cottages at the Glen for their loving care over the past few years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to one of the many organizations focused on Alzheimer’s research or helping those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.