Thelma Curtis Bowling

Thelma Curtis Bowling, 96, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on November 21, 2018 at her home in West Ashley.

Friends and family are invited to attend her celebration of life service at 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Charleston, 48 Meeting Street, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Marshall Blalock and Rev. Bert Fersner. Visitation will precede the service at the church at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow the service at Bethany Cemetery, 10 Cunnington Avenue. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Thelma was born in Greenville, S.C. on April 30, 1922, daughter of the late Olin Curtis and Essie Mae Porter Curtis. She was also predeceased by her beloved husband, the Rev. George W. Bowling, of Charleston, and her beloved grandson, the Rev. Daniel J. Inabinet of Marion. She is survived by her daughter, Jean Inabinet (Wilson) of North Charleston, her son, G. Daniel Bowling (Dana) of Sausalito, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Thelma will be greatly missed by her family and many friends who admired her supportive, caring, and friendly attributes. She was active in many ministries at First Baptist Church including her Sunday School class and the Senior Choir, which performed at local nursing homes. Thelma was also very involved with the MUSC Wellness Center's Stay Fit for Seniors Program. In her 80s and 90s she made the much-younger people marvel at her commitment to regular exercise and the encouragement she gave to them to "get with it!" At 94 the Stay Fit participants honored Thelma with a birthday party. She was also a faithful ten-year volunteer at Roper Hospital, comforting and assisting those whose family members were in the Cardiac Care Unit.

During her lifetime Thelma assisted and supported her husband, who was a Minister of Education for Baptist Churches in Texas, North and South Carolina, and Florida. She faithfully served God at her husband's side, being particularly gifted in music, drama, teaching, and storytelling. She especially loved working with children, to instill in them the love of Jesus as well as the importance of living by Jesus' teachings.

Memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at First Baptist Church of Charleston, 48 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 or the scholarship fund at the MUSC Wellness Center, 45 Courtenay Drive, Charleston, SC 29401.