Vernella (Cornell) Bowden

THE OBITUARY

Sister Vernella C. Bowden

Sister Vernella Cornell Bowden entered this world on March 21, 1945 to the late Deacon Calvin and Mother Vieleaner Cornell.  On Saturday, March 9, 2019, Sister Vernella Bowden departed this earthly world for eternal life.

 Sister Vernella Bowden confessed Christ at an early age and joined the family church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Whigham, GA (the 16th Community). While a member at St. Paul, Sister Bowden served on the usher and culinary ministries. She also faithfully served the Lord as the treasurer for the Benevolent Fund and President of the St. Paul Usher Ministry. Until the end, she allowed her Christian light to shine by visiting and calling her sisters and brothers in Christ during their time of need.

Sister Bowden was educated in Grady County Schools.  She graduated from Washington Consolidated High School in 1964.  On January 23, 1965, she was united in holy matrimony to Murry Bowden.  This 24-year union was blessed with two sons, Darryl Bowden and Curby Bowden. 

Sister Bowden devoted over 30 years to Wight’s Nursery (Monrovia). As a committed nurturer to her loved ones, her nurturing nature was shown in the plants she cultivated during her career.  As the oldest of eleven children, Sister Bowden served as a matriarch for her family. The family affectionately called her, “Nella.”  Her family especially loved her culinary talents, high expectations, and humorous spirit.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other special holidays were enjoyed with her delicious homemade Pound, Strawberry, and Caramel cakes and signature dressing and yellow rice.

Sister Vernella C. Bowden was preceded in death by her husband, Murry Bowden; son, Darryl Bowden; parents, Deacon Calvin C. Cornell and Mother Vieleaner N. Cornell; brother, Lemorn Cornell, Sr; and sister, Francis Cornell. She leaves to cherish her legacy and memory a son, Curby (Gwendolyn) Bowden; grandchildren, Sheddrick Bowden, Sh’Darria Bowden, Curby Monroe, Brandon Bowden, Shamaya Bowden, Derrick Bowden, and Simon Corker; great-grandchildren, La’Derrick Perkins and Kasiya Perkins; siblings, Valerie Bowden of Whigham, GA, Eula Jean (Fred) Atkins of Albany, GA, J.B. (Valerie) Cornell of Whigham, GA, Tony (Dorothy) Cornell of Pine Park, GA, Maggie (Henry) Hudson, Alex (Linda) Cornell, Carrie (Johnnie) Marshall, and Bruce Cornell (all of Whigham, GA); aunts, Katrina Johns and Bennie Ruth Davis of Miami, FL, Ophelia Gibson of Thomasville, GA, and Sallie Dunlap of Tallahassee, FL; uncle, Clifford Norwood of Miami, FL; sisters-in-law; Luretha Miller, Lois Crumbly, and Martha Cornell; brothers-in-law; Jonas (Gladys) Bowden, John (Emma) Bowden, Eunice (Pearl) Bowden, and Bishop Ruben Addison; special friends, Doretha Burgess, Janice May, and Belinda Mango; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
 

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