Thelma Jean (Davis) Bowman

Funeral Service for Thelma Jean Bowman of Sallisaw, Oklahoma will be at 3:00 PM on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Burial will be at Sallisaw City Cemetery in Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

Thelma Jean Bowman, of the home, was born on June 21, 1944 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and left this world on January 8, 2022 in Fort Smith, Arkansas at 77 years of age. She spent much of her time moving with her family from Washington State, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and all over Arkansas and Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Vinnie Poindexter Davis, her father, Goldsworth Heizer Davis, and a younger sister, Joyce Hampton. She is survived by her husband William Franklin Bowman, her 4 children; Leona Silmon, Carla Morton, Ronald Mills, Monica Marcy, 1 step-daughter, Brenda Knight, and 1 step-son, Gary Bowman, 2 brothers, Woodrow Davis and Ervin Davis, 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Thelma was of the Baptist faith and was a loving wife and mother. She was supportive of her husband and took great joy in being with her family. Thelma was well known for standing up for what she believed in. She could be a real “spitfire” (as one of her nurses in the hospital called her) and her daughters agreed. However, she was generous, graceful, and accommodated many in need.

Thelma’s life history involves her working hard early on in life, starting with the fruit fields as a young child and through-out her teenage years. She even brought her children back to do the same when she was in her twenties. She then spent much time working in the foodservice industry in multiple capacities. She also worked in the local factories for many years in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. She also pursued an education in the direction of the secretarial field. She completed Tulsa Barber College and had a career as a barber before relocating back to Sallisaw with her husband, Frank, at which time she enjoyed sewing and cooking. Thelma was also known for helping and hosting many friends and family members on a fairly regular basis and she remained in Sallisaw until her newly-fought battle with Alzheimers finally came to an end. She will be missed very much.

To anyone wishing to leave flowers, gifts, or food, it is requested that such be left in the care of Agent & Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Viewing will be 10 AM – 8 PM Thursday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw, OK.