Donald W. Bowlin, 72, of Florence, Alabama passed away on Monday, December 8, at his home. Visitation for friends and family will be Wednesday, December 10 at Greenview Funeral Home in Florence from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be at Northwood United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 11 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Greenview Cemetery. The officiating pastor will be Bart Bowlin, along with Steve Reding, and Scott Coats. Pallbearers will be his best friend, Ricky Kennedy, son-in-law Billy Porter, nephew Greg Bowlin, and grandsons Byrant Bowlin, Wills Porter, and Manning Bowlin.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Opal and Carl Bowlin, and his sister Carla Jane Cohen. His other siblings are Jeanette Hale, Bobbie Bowlin, and Tammy Bowlin, all of Florence.
Don leaves behind a loving family, including his wife of 51 years, Nancy Goode Bowlin. Don and Nancy have two children, Bart Bowlin (Liz) of Florence and Beth Porter (Billy) of Bogart, Georgia. Don and Nancy have seven grandchildren: Bethany, Bryant, Madelyn, MacKenzie, and Manning Bowlin and Wills and Anna Grace Porter.
Don is a graduate of Coffee High School, The University of North Alabama, and The University of Alabama with a Masters of Arts in Accounting. Don was a Certified Public Accountant with his practice in Florence since 1976. He was a member of Northwood United Methodist Church, The Underwood-Petersville Kiwanis Club, and Toastmasters International.
Daddy Don enjoyed spending time traveling with his wife. He especially enjoyed visiting Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, as well as the Smoky Mountains. However, their most recent trip was to Yellowstone National Park where he saw the beauty of the West. He shared his love for flowers and trees with his family with walks through his backyard and in his azalea garden that he planted over the last several years. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren at the helm of his boat on Shoals Creek. Daddy Don often shared his life stories and his love of poetry with family and friends in hopes of passing on his passions to them.
The Bowlin Family gives thanks to Glendora, and Nikki, and all of the caregivers from ElderCare Services, as well as to Jordan, Brandi and the Gentiva Hospice Staff for your wonderful care of Don for the last eight months. We are forever grateful. God Bless You.
To our granddaughter, Bethany, no words can express what your loving care has meant to Nanny and Daddy Don. You are a wonderful nurse; more importantly, a wonderful granddaughter.
To Honor Don’s love of flowers and trees and his desire for everyone to always have enough to eat, memorials may be made to Northwood United Methodist Church for the Prayer Garden Fund and the Food Bank’s Distribution Program.
