Martha Claire Alexander Bowling, 87, passed away in her sleep on June 24, 2020, in Jackson, Mississippi.
A graveside service will be held at Riverwood Memorial Park at 12:00 noon, Saturday, June 27, alongside her beloved husband Daniel S. Bowling, Jr.,
who passed away in 2003. The service will not be strictly limited to family members but those in attendance are asked to carefully follow distancing and other
precautions. Decisions to honor and celebrate Martha's life in ways other than attending the service are understood and very much appreciated by the family.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Martha Claire, as she was known in Alabama, was born in Fayette, Alabama, in 1933 into a well-respected family where
Christianity and learning went hand in hand. She was valedictorian of Fayette High School, and followed her older siblings to the University of Alabama,
graduating at the top of her class and elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She was a student of classical music and the piano which became
lifelong passions, along with the Crimson Tide.
Also, she was president of her social society Alpha Gamma Delta. While there she met Dan, the love of her life, and after marrying
she moved around the country supporting his military and
corporate careers with their two young children.
Eventually, they settled in Brookhaven and planted their feet in the ground. After Dan passed, she became known as “Miss Martha”
and was beloved by all. She never had a harsh word for anyone,
in public or private. She taught hundreds of Brookhaven teenagers to play the piano and many stayed in touch with her until the end.
She continued to play the piano at a high level and gave a concert
to Matinee Musicale as recently as last year. She was also a
devoted member of the Brookway Church of Christ.
All who knew her commented on her quick wit, intelligence,
and musical ability, as well as her kindness and humanity.
She did not go into hiding after her Dan passed; instead of remaining an active member
of the community and her church. She loved
her children, grandchildren, cousins, and nieces and nephews.
She is dearly missed by all who knew her.
In addition to Dan, Martha was preceded in death by her parents Margaret Brewer Alexander and Joe Alexander,
and her siblings Dr. Jack Wingate Alexander and Margaret Alexander Black.
She is survived by her sons Daniel Seymour Bowling, III and his wife Elizabeth, and David Alexander Bowling and his wife Jean,
her brother Joe Alexander, her grandchildren Daniel S. Bowling, IV, Edward Alexander Bowling, Joseph Emmet Bowling,
Charles Alexander Bowling, Elizabeth Margaret Bowling, and Jack Bowling, her nieces Claire Black Tisdal, Margaret Alexander Wiygul,
Dana Kilgore Alexander and her nephew Joseph Drew Alexander.
