Clare Bowman Cardinal

Long-time Montgomery resident Clare Bowman Cardinal, 92, died peacefully at her home Monday, January 4, 2021 from natural causes. Clare was born on March 5th, 1928 to Clare Holmes and William Iverson Bowman. She was the eldest of three girls; Harold Nicrosi and Anne Upchurch, both residents of Montgomery, Alabama.

A 1946 graduate of Sidney Lanier, Clare attended Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia and graduated from Huntingdon College in 1950. She was married to local veterinarian Dr. L.C. Cardinal (Bud) for over 64 years and is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Harold. She is survived by her sister Anne and her husband W.K. Upchurch Jr., her daughter Clare Cardinal-Pett and her husband Stephen Pett of Santa Fe, New Mexico, her son Louis C. Cardinal, III and his wife Lang Blackmon of Montgomery and her daughter Ruth Cardinal Seawell and her husband Rev. Robert Hails Seawell of Daphne, Alabama. Survivors include her nine grandchildren: Morgan Cardinal Pett, Henry Walker Cardinal Pett and Josephine Samantha Cardinal Pett, Liza Lang Cardinal Simpler (Miland) and Louis Charles Cardinal IV, Katherine Clare Seawell Greenwood (Adam), Ruth Cardinal Seawell Fernando (Noel), Robert Hails Seawell, Jr. (Cailin) and Samuel Holmes Seawell and five great grandchildren; Wilder Pett, Katty and James Greenwood, Ann Lang Simpler and Bea Fernando, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A life member of First United Methodist Church, Clare taught Sunday school for many years drawing upon her training as a schoolteacher. Active in her community she was a member of the Montgomery Junior League, Antiquarian Society of Montgomery, Montgomery Country Club and her beloved “Sewing Club,” meeting continuously since 1950. As a dedicated and longtime volunteer for the Montgomery Area Council on Aging, Clare delivered Meals on Wheels faithfully for years. She also actively supported her husband’s passion for outdoors, hunting and conservation efforts; joining him on many field trails, perfecting the art of cooking wild game, particularly quail and turkey, and working beside him on their beloved “Farm” in Cecil, Alabama.

Clare is remembered by many for her Southern hospitality, her gardening and flower arranging skills and love of painting. Several of her paintings can be found in homes throughout Montgomery. As the first queen of the Krewe of Athenians in 1951, Clare was known for wearing her original queen’s gown to

the annual ball until the age of 90. But most of all, Meme, as she was known to her grandchildren, is remembered for her faithful and diligent watch of their journeys from childhood to adulthood, and the tracing of their travels and hometowns in her ever-present atlas.

Due to COVID 19 restrictions, a memorial service at First United Methodist will be held at a later date. The family deeply appreciates the loving care and support of Ester Calvin and Ruth Cain in these last few months. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 2416 West Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, Alabama 36106, Church of the Apostles, P.O. Box 662 Montrose, Alabama 36559 or a charity of your choice.