Sheila Allen Bowen

Sheila Allen Bowen, née Sheila Terrell Gleason, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at the age of 88. She was the beloved widow of the late William Joseph Bowen, who preceded her in death on June 30, 1998. She was born in Covington, Louisiana, on December 11, 1931, and was the beloved daughter of the late Glenwood B. Allen and the late Sara W. Allen, both of Lake Charles, LA.

She graduated from Lake Charles High School and was elected Princess Lake Charles at the age of 17. She attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where she was an LSU cheerleader. As a member of the United States Air Force, she served in Beaumont, Texas. She married William J. Bowen a Louisiana State University graduate who was a petroleum engineer. Sheila lived in many different cities throughout the southern United States, traveling with her husband and children.

Her husband’s position as President of Dowell-Schlumberger for the Middle East and Europe led her and her family to live in Beirut, Lebanon and Paris, France. She traveled the world with her husband and children, was an expert snow skier, golfer, markswoman, and hunter, and was a member of multiple bridge clubs. Additionally, she was a passionate sports enthusiast. As the owner of a horse stable in Beirut, she was an avid equestrian. She was fluent in English, French, Arabic, and Spanish.

She was preceded in death by her eldest daughter Rebecca Lynn Bowen and is survived by her daughter Vicki V. Bowen, son Steven C. Bowen, and daughter Terrill A. Bowen.

She is survived by granddaughters Brittany G. SanMartin (m. Adan SanMartin) and Sheila R. Gaskins, and was preceded in death by granddaughter Angélique M. Gaskins. She was the great-grandmother of Dionna, Josiah, Ava, Julian, Khloé, and the late Elisa.

Sheila was an intellectual with a great wit. She was very well-educated and well-read. Her multicultural exposure led her to be a gourmet cook who frequently entertained business associates, friends, and family. She was known for her effervescent attitude. Her spirited personality was larger than life, and she was dearly loved by family and friends.

Sheila Bowen’s funeral services were held on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. She was buried in the Bowen tomb in Metairie Cemetery.

Due to the current extenuating circumstances, we ask that those who wish to express their condolences or share fond memories do so at www.lakelawnmetairie.com