Keithann Bowden

Keithann Bowden was born in Merced, CA on July 15, 1957, to her parents, Jay L. Bowden and Dolores V. Bowden. She was the oldest of three children and was born blind and with special needs. The family moved in 1966 to Modesto, CA so Keithann could attend Orville Wright School where they taught blind children. She then attended the Howard Training Center in Ceres, CA.

Keithann also attended a vocational program in Modesto, CA, where she answered phones and delivered balloons. She worked there until 2014, when she moved to Arroyo Grande, CA to live with her sister Vikki and brother-in-law Jim.

Keithann was able to do many things in her 8 years with Jim and Vikki. She was able to go on many camping trips, Hawaii, The Grand Canyon, Bass Lake, and many, country music concerts. She also enjoyed her regular visits to El Nido, CA to stay with her cousins Andy & Jackie Anderson.

She attended PathPoint Tri-County Five Cities area, in Grover Beach, CA which she enjoyed very much. One of her favorite things to do, was to deliver senior nutrition to the elderly. She also enjoyed doing art and music class. She had many friends, and enjoyed cooking class, the BBQ’s and many parties, while attending PathPoint.

Keithann passed away peacefully at a hospital in Paramount Ca with her family by her side on January 25, 2022.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jay L. Bowden & Dolores V. Bowden and Stepmother, Kay Bowden.

She is survived by her sister, Victoria L. Kelsey (James), Arroyo Grande, CA, brother, Jay Bowden, Modesto, CA, uncle & aunt, Wayne & Margaret Bowden, Ceres, CA, three nephews, four great nephews and four great nieces, many cousins and friends.

Viewing is on February 7, 2022, from 4-8 pm, at Lakewood Funeral Home in the Heritage Chapel.

Graveside service on February 8, 2022 at 1 pm at Lakewood Memorial Park in Tuolumne Garden.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association in Keithann’s name.

~Heaven’s Very Special Child~

A meeting was held quite far from earth

“It’s time again for another birth”,

Said the Angels to the Lord above,

“This special child will need much love.”

Her progress may seem very slow,

Accomplishments she may not show

And she’ll require extra care from

The folks she meets way down there

She may not run or laugh or play

Her thoughts may seem quite far away

In many ways she won’t adapt,

And she’ll be known as handicapped.

So let’s be careful where she’s sent

We want her life to be content

Please, Lord, find the home who

Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away

The leading role they’re asked to play

But with this child sent from above

Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they’ll know the privilege given

In caring for this gift from heaven,

Their precious charge, so meek and mild

Is Heaven’s very special child.

~My Perfect Child~

As my children were born, I wanted them to be perfect

When they were babies, I wanted them to smile and to be

content playing with their toys.

I wanted them to be happy and to laugh continually

instead of crying and being demanding.

I wanted them to see the beautiful side of life.

As they grew older, I wanted them to be giving instead of

selfish. I wanted them to skip the terrible twos.

I wanted them to stay innocent forever.

As they became teenagers, I wanted them to be obedient and

not rebellious, mannerly and not mouthy. I wanted them

to be gentle, kind hearted, and full of love.

Oh, God, give me a child like this, was often in my prayers.

One day he did, some call her handicapped… I call her perfect!