Shirley Ann Bowman

Shirley Ann Dillon Bowman, affectionately known as Ann, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2024, in Columbus, GA, at the age of 87.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, October 28, 2024 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Brad Parker officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Georgia. A private interment will be held at Ft. Moore Main Post Cemetery.

Born on April 20, 1937, in Rickman, TN, Ann lived a full and vibrant life marked by devotion to her family and a spirit of joy that touched everyone she met.
Ann was the beloved wife of the late James Hollis Bowman and cherished mother to her sons, the late Joe Hollis Bowman and Danny Eugene Bowman (Kathy). Her legacy continues through her adoring granddaughters, Mallory Bowman Harris, Kallan Bowman Berry (Kris), and Kelsey Bowman Farrington (Cary), as well as her treasured great-grandchildren, Beckett, Banks, Thatcher, Drew, and Cooper. Additionally, she spent her latter years creating a life with Herm Barth. Her family was the cornerstone of her life, and she poured her love and energy into creating countless cherished memories with them.
The daughter of the late Golda Dillon, Ann was one of ten siblings. Though she was preceded in death by her brothers Osco, Otto, Gene, Robert, and Bruce Dillon, and her sisters Dorcus Willeford, Malyne Copeland, and Maxine Fleming, her stories of childhood and sibling bonds remained a source of laughter and comfort for her family. She is survived by her brother Cyle Dillon, who, along with numerous nieces and nephews, will fondly remember Ann's kindness and warmth.
Ann was known for her welcoming smile and generous heart. Her ability to make friends wherever she went was unparalleled, and she leaves behind a legacy of friendships that spanned decades. Ann's passions included gardening, where she found peace and joy in the beauty of nature, and cooking, where she expressed her love through her delicious, home-cooked meals.
Ann retired as a telephone operator with AT&T after many years of dedicated service. Ann's colleagues admired her for her professionalism and her ability to bring warmth and camaraderie to the workplace.
Throughout her life, Ann remained a steadfast source of strength and comfort to her loved ones. She faced life's challenges with grace and resilience, teaching by example the value of courage and perseverance.
Ann's life was a testament to the power of love and the importance of family. She nurtured a home that was always open, a table that was always set, and a circle of love that was always expanding. Her laughter was infectious, her advice was sought after, and her presence was a gift to all who knew her.
As we bid farewell to Shirley Ann Dillon Bowman, we celebrate the remarkable woman she was and the indelible imprint she leaves on our hearts. Ann's family takes comfort in knowing that she is “healed, whole, and with her Savior.”  Death is not the end.
Her memory will be cherished, her stories retold, and her love felt forevermore. In honoring Ann's life, we honor the light she brought into this world—a light that will never be extinguished.