Mary K. Bowman

A devoted daughter and sister, a loving and supportive wife, a caring and dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mary was always very kind, positive and social; she never met someone who did not become her friend forever. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband Vernon L. Bowman, sister Lois Amanda Keeney Rexford, brother Vaderon E. (Bud) Keeney, daughter Ruth Ann Overgaard and son Forrest Paul Bowman. She is survived by her daughter Grace Jones; grandchildren, David Overgaard, Sofiya Bowman, Forrest Bowman; and great-granddaughter, Kathryn Overgaard.

A descendant of the pioneers and early settlers of the Dexter/Pleasant Hill area, Mary grew up on a small farm in Dexter, Ore., and graduated from Pleasant Hill high school. Mary received a degree from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, and attended NORTHWESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL, Minneapolis MN 1943-1946 (today known as University of Northwestern, St Paul). Mary was also a graduate of the BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL, Minneapolis MN 1946.

After a stellar career in teaching at Patrick Lynch Elementary School, Mary retired and devoted her time to volunteering with numerous ministries at YWAM Kona’s University of the Nations, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as missionary work in various parts of the World, including Albania, China and Thailand.

Together with her husband, Vernon Bowman, Mary was an active member of the Montavilla Baptist Church; she has been recognized as a talented Sunday School teacher and dedicated Bible Study Leader. A woman of faith and prayer, Mary’s lifelong devotion to God was evident in her love for worship, how she served and cared for her family and church community.

Mary’s wit, warm smile, selflessness, kind heart, gentle ways and positivity will be forever in our hearts.