Carol B

Yesterday I attended the memorial service for my friend Carol Bowling. It was a very uplifting service. Carol had chosen the songs, the song leader, the scripture she wished. I felt her life and spirit were honored.

We moved to Searcy in July 2001. My husband met Carol during orientation at work, then we placed membership at Downtown and I met her. We always spoke at church that first year. In the summer of 2002, when Stella and Jackson were born, we became much closer to the Bowling family. When the babies were at Children's, Jerry, Carol and Rebecca came to be with us. They were there for Jackson's funeral. We became a part of their shepherding group and our daughters came to love "Miss Carol." She wrote a beautiful letter to Stella, and gave each of our girls a pink Bible with their names engraved on the cover. Julia Rose keeps hers on her nightstand, sleeping with it on her pillow some nights.

During Carol's illness, Julia Rose and Stella prayed nightly for her, like so many other people around the world. I was inspired by her determination to live. She was so beautiful this May, at the funniest wedding I've ever attended.

I am thankful to God that our lives were blessed with Carol Bowling. Carol and her family made us feel welcome and loved in this small town where we felt isolated. She touched our lives forever. Thank you, God, for sharing her with us.