ROBERT EARL "DOC" BOWLING, SR.

ROBERT EARL "DOC" BOWLING, SR., a resident of Memphis, native Fayette Countian and World War II Veteran, died at 3 P.M. Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at his residence in Memphis. He was 82 years of age and died following an extended illness of several months.

Joint Funeral Services for Mr. Bowling and his son were conducted at 4 P.M. Thursday, September 25th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with the Rev. Dave Stewart, Pastor of the Schoolfied United Methodist Church in Memphis, officiating. Interment followed in the Shady Grove Cemetery at Williston. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Bowling was born December 6, 1925 in the Williston Community. He was preceded in death by his parents Jimmy Bowling and Bettie Patterson Bowling, early residents of the Williston Community. He was educated in the Fayette County Public School System and served in the United States Navy during the World War II Period. Mr. Bowling was the husband of the former Mary Lou Turner, a native of Ripley, MS who died December 19, 1954.

Mr. Bowling was a longtime employee of the International Harvester Company in Memphis and was involved in production and manufacturing with the company for thirty-five years before his retirement in 1986.

A devoted Christian throughout his life, Mr. Bowling was active for many years in the Georgian Hills United Methodist Church and remained committed to his church after the merging of Georgian Hills and Schoolfield United Methodist Church.

A community participant throughout his life, Mr. Bowling served as a Boyscout Leader in earlier years and later a volunteer for the Methodist Hospital North at Raleigh as long as health permitted. He enjoyed music and will be remembered for his enthusiasm and love for life.

Survivors of Mr. Bowling include his son, Robert E. Bowling, Jr. (Kathy) of Atoka; daughter, Sharon Bowling Nelson (Charles) of Roswell, NM; two sisters, Mary B. Redfearn of Somerville and Barbara Bowling of Cordova; three brothers: Smith Bowling of Brownsville and Eldridge "Skin" Bowling and Jim Bowling, both of Somerville; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his devoted caregivers Linda McBride, Yvonne Clowes and Troy Berry.

He was preceded in death by his son David Clay Bowling of Ripley, MS, who died of natural causes at his home in Ripley on the same day of his father's death.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Jimmie Bowling, Millard Bowling, Will Bowling, Larry Mills, Perry Redfearn and Joe Yager.

The family request that Memorials be directed to the Schoolfield United Methodist Church, 1621 Dellwood Avenue, Memphis, TN 38127, Phone: 901) 358-7442.