May 17, 1940 - January 22, 2026

Norma Jeanne Miller Bowden

Norma Jeanne Miller Bowden was born in Wynne, AR on May 17, 1940. She was the 9th child of Reginald Raymond Miller and Mae Pauline Hardy Miller both deceased. She married the late Jackie Paul Bowden on November 7th, 1961, in West Helena, AR, where they were married for over 50 years. Together they had four children â€" Johnny Paul Bowden of Lexa, AR, Rhonda Rena McCord (Duane) of Dallas, Georgia, Donald Lee Bowden (Ginger) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Lisa Gail Gregory of West Helena, AR, and two Stepchildren â€" Delores Diane Bowden, deceased and Rose Marie Carr of Roland, AR.

She is proceeded in death by both of her parents Ray and Mae, 8 siblings â€" Reginald, Robert, Tyrus, Lester, Rose, Helen, Gladys and a baby boy Miller, her husband - Jack, a stepdaughter - Delores, and a favorite son-in-law - Richard.
Norma was a Grandmother to 12 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren and a newly discovered one on the way to make 23 Great Grandchildren. She was Mom to a host of her Children's friends who rambled in and out of their home eating her snacks, drinking their drinks and playing their games. She was Grandma Norma to a host of kids all over the county, and Aunt Norma to a host of Nieces and Nephews being said well over a 100 of them. She was loved by them all. She and her baby sister Stella Henson of Cherry Valley, AR who still resides there grew up especially close all their lives.

Norma was a long-time member of the 1st Free Will Baptist Church in West Helena until it closed and then as a member of the Church of the Nazarene. She professed her faith in God as a young child and attended church with her children in tow for most of her years.
Norma was a seamstress and Supervisor at Bobby Brooks in West Helena, AR for over 35 years. She loved music and dancing. She was an Arkansas Razorback fan, even in the bad years. She had a long-term & real fear of flying and always said she would never get on a plane! Until one of her beloved Granddaughter's moved across the country and she was given the chance to go see her, by plane. She finally got on a plane and flew to her at 79, while holding on tightly to the arm of a good-looking young man and stranger I was told.
She loved her family and being a caretaker. She took care of her Mother, her Husband, and her family until the days she no longer could. She was a social butterfly and never met a stranger. She would give you her last dollar and was known to secretly try and usually successfully poke a $20 bill in each of her Grandkid's pockets in a disguised hug as they were leaving. She also always had a dessert, advice, and a hug to share whether you wanted it or not. Her absence will leave a hole in everyone of our lives for all of our days, and will be remembered, missed, and loved always.

Pall bearers are four of her very loved Grandchildren â€" Darren Winfrey, Cameron Winfrey, DJ McCord, Justin Cody Russell, and two beloved nephews â€" Holt Henson and Landon Henson.
Services will be a Visitation at Roller Citizens in West Helena, AR on February 7th at 10am directly followed by the Funeral at 11am. A short Graveside service will be at Turner Cemetery on Hwy. 1 in Turner, AR followed by a meal at Lexa Baptist Church in Lexa, AR where the Funeral Pastor Nathan Perry presides.

 

Sign Guestbook

2 Condolence(s)