BOWEN, Leona Hughes

Leona Hughes Bowen passed away this morning, July 19, 20003 at her residence in Rockport,
Aransas County, Texas.  Leona was 96 years of age.  She was loved by all her children,
grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends.

Leona was born on March 14, 1907 near Lockhart, Caldwell County, Texas to Annie Lee (Evans)
and Surry Basil Hughes both born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  She has lived in Corpus Christi since
November 1946.

Leona taught public elementary school for thirty-five years.  She taught in several schools in
Caldwell County, Texas and the last twenty-five at Fannin Elementary School, Corpus Christi,
Texas.  She was a graduate of the San Marcus Baptist Academy, received a BA and MEd from
Texas A & I University, Kingsville.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Corpus Christi since 1946, Past Matron and
Life Member of the Independence Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star # 1044, Theta Gamma
Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Retired Teachers Association, and the Daughters of the
American Revolution.

She is survived by her four children: Herschel G. Kelley and wife, Nelda of Rockport, E. Weldon
Kelley and his wife, Sandra of Kerrville, Vada Koppes and her husband, Gerald of Rockport,
Billye Osborn and her husband, Robert F. of Rockport, one step-daughter, Pat Tingle and her
husband, Jack of Elgin, ten grandchildren, many step-grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, many
step-great grandchildren, and several nephews, nieces and first cousins W. Cecil "Pat" Patterson
and Melvin Ray Sawyers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Surry B. and Annie Hughes, first husband and Father
of her children, Wiley Glenowen Kelley and her second husband, William Daniel Bowen, and her
sisters, Ada Belle Hughes and her husband, Arlie P. Hughes, Myrtle Hughes, and her brother,
Ernest Hughes and his wife, Wilma Hughes.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2003 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Seaside Funeral
Home Chapel, Corpus Christi, 4357 Ocean Drive, Texas, 361/992-9411.  Funeral Services will be
held Wednesday, July 23, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel

Submitted by Herschel G. Kelley