Betty Bowman

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 11, 2010

NATCHEZ — A celebration of Betty Jane Ballard Hightower Bowman’s life, 75, who was called home Sunday, March 7, 2010, will be at noon Saturday at the Natchez State Park Pavilion. Food will be served.

Mrs. Bowman was born Jan. 11, 1935, in Tylertown, the daughter of Hilton “Buck” Ballard and Eliza Magee Ballard. She was a loving mother, Nana, and friend to a number of people. She was a natural born prankster and loved nothing more than to make all of those around her laugh and smile. Her family will never forget the fun times they had together. Nothing brought her more joy and happiness than the births of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she adored.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and best friend, Sophie Kerr Porter; brother-in-law, James Porter; her first husband, George Hightower; her second husband and love of her life, Bill Bowman, and a number of other loved ones.

She will be thought of and missed daily by her two loving daughters, Debbie Bailey and husband, Frank, and Tammy Oglesby and husband, Keith, all of Natchez; one stepdaughter, Karen Marshall and husband, Bill, of Sarasota, Fla.; four grandchildren, Vanessa Duffy and husband, Jon, of Lafayette, La., Matt Smith and wife, Nicole, and Daniel Oglesby and wife, Tasha, all of Natchez, and Rachael Oglesby of Columbia, S.C.; step-granddaughter, Ashley Alexander and husband, Paul; and six great-grandchildren, Connor Magee Duffy, Mary Claire Duffy, Sarah Lynn Smith, Sylvia Ann Smith, Sommer Aubrey Smith and Eli Oglesby, who was born on her 75th birthday.

Also left to cherish her memory are her nieces and nephews, Linda Schaburg, Lawrence Ringley, Carla Buchinger, Faye Ringley, Jimmy Porter, Charmaine Gaspard and Marty Porter; her special friends, Bobbie, Roxanne, Regina and all her other card playing buddies.

She cherished her family above all else and they will keep her fun loving spirit alive.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of choice.