Mary Walker Bowling, 98, of Oxford passed away Sunday, April 5, 2026 at her home.

It was in her bedroom. Mama, Mary Bowling to many of you, was sleeping very peacefully, it seemed. Pictures were hanging on the walls, mostly of her children and grandchildren. She gave so much love to us all. Other people were in the house, my wife, family, and a couple of visitors. Dolores and Debbie, Mama's caregivers, were there, looking after Mama with their sweetness and kindness. But for a few minutes, it was just Mama and I in the bedroom. It was quiet. I knew the end was near. I called her a couple of times, she opened her eyes and looked at me for about ten seconds, then went back to sleep. I kissed her and told her I loved her and walked out. It was the last time I saw her alive. She is now in heaven, the way I hope and think. My goodness, if there is a heaven, and it is a place for good people who have done good things in their life, for sure Mama is there.

Mary Walker was born in Stem, graduated from Stem High School. There she met a tall country boy named Ollie Bowling Jr., who everyone called O.L. They produced seven children, Martha, Dale, Bonnie, Phyllis, Deborah, Lee, and Lewis. All of us were raised on tobacco farms, so the more kids the better, cheap labor. Mama not only ran the house, cooked the meals, got us off to school, put us to bed, all of that and more, she worked on the farm. She chopped tobacco, planted tobacco, and barned tobacco. Later, she opened Bowling's Store in Oxford, a ladies' clothing store, at one time on Hillsboro Street and then on College Street. Mama, with much help from her friend, Clessie Thomas, ran the store for around 40 years, I think. I had good times in the store. When I was younger, Mama would take me with her, not so much to help, I wasn't too good at selling women panties, but I would empty the trash, fetch something, take some mail out to the box. At lunch time, she would reach into the cash register and give me a couple dollars. Now this was way back, and I would go usually around the corner to Jones Drug Store and order a vanilla milkshake and a grilled cheese sandwich. Almost every time. When I like something, my wife will tell you, I stick with it. I don't like a lot of change.
Later on, I would often take my wife with me to the store. Beth really loved my mother; they enjoyed yakking, I mean talking on and on. Beth would help Mama hang up dresses and blouses, display earrings, and Beth really liked to put up a new window display. Mama had two big windows facing College Street, right next to the old Williams Drug Store.

Mama raised all of us children, gave us her love, worried about us, and gave the same love to grandkids. She was kind, but you didn't do mean things. I once, very young and stupid, caught a frog and threw it as hard as I could to the ground. Mama saw me and let me know in no uncertain terms how wrong and mean that was. I tell you the truth, to this day, and I'm not making this up, I will catch a bug in my house and instead of killing it, will take it outside and set it free. Thank you, Mama. Another time, again young and stupid, I thought putting a trash bag over my sister Deborah's head would be a fun thing to do. Oh boy did my sweet little mother get on me good. You can verify this with Deborah; I have not put another trash bag over her head since. Thank you, Mama. Now let me tell you something else. Mama wanted us in church at Providence Baptist, not only that, but she also had this crazy notion, it seemed to me, that we should all sit up straight in those awful stiff church clothes and listen to the long-winded preacher. Well, I tried to do just that, but most of the time I was more than likely thinking about the fried chicken Mama was going to make for lunch after church. One day in church, I got to talking too much. I remember this vividly today, over 50 years later. Mama grabbed me by the hand and walked me out to a corner of the church. A bush was nearby. That sweet mother of mine broke off a switch and let me have it on my bottom and legs. To this day I am not much of a talker. Thank you, Mama. I could thank Mama for a thousand things, but just not enough space here. Mama was so proud of me for writing about Oxford and Granville County history. I'm proud and grateful to be her son.
Mama loved to cook, loved her church, Providence Baptist, loved to visit people in rest homes, and was known for sending many birthday cards and cards of condolence.

This is a poem, I don't know the author to give credit to, but it sums up the way I feel about Mama. You lived a good life, Mama. Obviously, God needed another angel in heaven, so there you are.

Who bore the pain to give us life?
Who pulled us close and held us tight?
Who rocked us fast to sleep at Night?
Mama was her name.
Who had a sweet and loving way?
Who nurtured us from day to day?
Who taught us how to kneel and pray?
Mama was her name.
Who worried most when we were gone?
Who waited for us all night long?
Who tried to teach us right from wrong?
Mama was her name.
Who had a young and pretty face?
Who had a soft and warm embrace?
Who can never be replaced?
Mama was her name.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Providence Baptist Church with Rev. William Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow at the Bowling Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Providence Baptist Church.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.