Kathleen L Durst Bowman

Kathleen was born an only child to the late Herman Hamilton Forcum and Nellie Bartlemay Forcum on June 6, 1913 in Oblong, Illinois.

Kathleen graduated from Charleston High School in Illinois in 1931, received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois State Teachers College in 1935, and her Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the Graduate School of Memphis State University in 1970. She was a member of the LAMBDA Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, the International Honorary Teachers Society, the Tennessee Congress of Parents and Teachers, the Merry Makers, the Mother Chapter Order of De Molay, the English Meadows Garden Club, and Germantown Baptist Church.

Kathleen retired from Principalship of Gardenview Elementary School in 1980. She was a passionate believer that education was a major force for good, and that education helps us to understand ourselves and each other. Her craft was the classroom, but her passion was people and unlocking their potential. Kathleen dedicated 45 years of her life to this passion, and her friends, family, former students, and fellow teachers and administrators will remember the best things about her: the intense spark of her creativity, her generous nature, her enthusiasm for people and education, and her compassion and concern for others.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Nellie Forcum; her only son, Jon Franklin Durst; her first husband, Walter Franklin Durst; and her second husband, John Sanford Bowman.

Kathleen is survived by a step son, Robert (Carol) Bowman; a step daughter, Deborah Howard; a daughter-in-law, Fay (Doug) Durst Misner; seven grandchildren: Cindy (Max) Durst Woodward, Katrina (Joe) Durst Rowan, Sharon (Jack) Durst Higginbotham, Jennifer (Jeff) Adams, Andy (Jenny) Bowman, Craig (Jamie) Bowman, Jonathan (Michelle) Bowman and Heather Lantz; and twelve great-grandchildren: Kelli (Conrad) Fountain, Jami (Johnny) Orgeron, Jessica Short, Jacklyn Higginbotham, Wyatt Bowman, Reilly Bowman, Nathan Bowman, Payton Bowman, Jenna Bowman, Megan Bowman, Logan Lantz, and Dylan Lantz.

A viewing and memorial service will be held from 1:00-4:00 PM on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue. Pastor Don Johnson will conduct the memorial service at 3:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at Glenwood Cemetery in Shelbyville, Illinois on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 10:00 am. Howe and Yockey Funeral Home in Shelbyville is in charge of local arrangements.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Jim and Becky Cathey of Germantown, Tennessee and Michelle Brown-Blanton of Cordova, Tennessee for their enduring friendship, care and compassion.

An additional thank you to Barry and the staff at Kirby Pines Manor for their loving care; and to Dr. John Adams, whose recent correspondence brought such joy and honor to Kathleen and confirmed her belief that she made a difference in the lives of the children she taught.