02/16/2026
Frances Ware Bowlin, 91, of Tenaha, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026 surrounded by loving family.
Funeral service will be held at 10am, Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Ramah Baptist Church, Tenaha. Interment will follow at Ramah Cemetery.
She is survived by:
Daughter, Beverly Bowlin Martin and husband Keith, of Tenaha
Daughter-in-law, Terry Dean Bowlin, of Tenaha
Grandchildren:
Krystal Martin Swink and husband, Arron of Tyler
Kaylan Martin Prieb and husband, David of McPherson, KS
Emily Bowlin Lemoine and husband Joseph of Tenaha
Kelly Martin Cooper and husband, Jacob of Shelbyville
Benjamin Wade Bowlin and wife, Tamara of Tenaha
Great-grandchildren:
Lilia Swink
Jaycee Cooper
Kenneth Lane Cooper
Jaxson Lemoine
Parker Lemoine
Benjamin Bryson Bowlin
Braya Bowlin
Special nieces:
Emily Culver Beaird
Brenda Culver
Preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Lamar Ware and Katie Crump Ware; husband, Benjamin Morris Bowlin Jr.; brother, Jimmy Lamar Ware; sister, Rose Ware Culver; and sons, Benjamin Lamar Bowlin and Bryan Wade Bowlin.
Mrs. Bowlin loved the Lord, she became a Christian at the age of 13. She loved to read and hear Bible passages. She lived her love for the Lord by generously serving her school community and family. She invested her relationships and enjoyed knowing everyone deeply. She had a gift for seeing people genuinely, remembering and honoring their time in her life and retelling the stories of those she loved with detail and joy. She was a lifelong friend to anyone she met, opening her home often and keeping in contact across miles and years.
She was a beloved elementary school teacher, serving students in Center and Tenaha for 30 years. She faithfully read a Bible story to her students every day. She cherished her relationships with her students, co-teachers, and often told stories of special days in school with them by name. Her sharp memory held places for all the special friends and family she shared seasons of life with.
She loved to travel with her husband and family, dedicating many summers to special mountain trips and making memories with her siblings, cousins, children, grandchildren and nieces.
Her hobbies included sewing, gardening, and baking – especially tea cakes.
Mrs. Bowlin’s Tea Cake Recipe
1 cup Butter melted
1 ½ cup Sugar
3 Eggs
3 cups Flour sifted
3 tsp Baking Powder
2 tsp Vanilla
2 tbsp Milk
Melt butter, blend sugar. Add vanilla. Add eggs. Beating well, add baking powder and slowly add one cup of flour at a time beating between. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours. Roll out with flour and bake at 375 degrees for 8 – 10 minutes.
In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Bowlin would be honored most if loved ones would find opportunities to read, especially Bible stories, with children. Donations could also be made to Christian ministries or educational programs in her honor.
Services are under the direction of Watson and Sons Funeral Home, Center, Texas. Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com.
