Charlotte Bowman

Charlotte LeClere Bowman 85, beloved mother and grandmother of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Montgomery Place of Independence, Kansas.

Charlotte was the daughter of Clark and Ruby (Dilley) LeClere, she was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on October 17, 1938. She graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1956 and Coffeyville Community College in 1958. While attending junior college, she met her soulmate, Billie Bowman. They were married on June 1, 1958. The couple had two daughters Laura and Keri. While raising her children Charlotte obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pittsburg State University and her master’s degree in library science from Wichita State University. She taught gifted students in Coffeyville and Independence area then later was the librarian for Dearing and Garfield grade schools. She loved her students and immensely enjoyed her library job. 

Charlotte was a very loving, kind and devoted person who would help anyone in need. She loved volunteering at the Salvation Army and enjoyed serving and treasured the friendships she developed over her 50-year membership in Beta Sigma Phi Preceptor Alpha Omega a philanthropic women’s sorority in Coffeyville. She loved her family and loved to have family dinners and get-to-gathers. Her potato salad recipe was always in high demand and delicious. She enjoyed going to garage sales and antique malls in search of treasures for her home. Her hobbies were reading, exercising-mainly walking, gardening and board games. She loved birds, particularly doves and cardinals and her daughter’s Jack Russell Terrier “Black-Jack”. She was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Charlotte was a member of the Rock Creek Church of God in rural South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. She assisted in the summer camp meetings with food and preparations in the dining hall. Unfortunately, the church closed as membership declined but her heart remained very faithful and dedicated to serving her Lord and Savior.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her daughters Laura (Shannon) Gay of Rural Coffeyville, Keri (Darrell) Goebel of Lawrence, Kansas, granddaughter’s Taylor Wood, Jessie Gay (Jadin Finney), Anne Goebel (Will Brautman), one sister Claudette Drum, sisters-in-law Doris Lowrey and Dora Bowman, nephews Brent (Patricia) Drum, Kevin (Vickie) Drum, Steve (Carol) Lowrey, nieces Brenda (Bill) Mock, Janet Soles, and many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents Clark and Ruby, stepfather Dick Friedline, husband Billie “Bill” Bowman, father-and mother-in-law William and Mary Bowman, brothers-in-law Arthur, Oscar, Lloyd, and Floyd Bowman, Lloyd Drum, and James Lowrey, sisters-in-law Jennie, Edna, Buell Rae Bowman, and nieces Melinda (Bowman) Chamberlain, Marianna (Bowman) Walker, and Marilyn (Bowman) Foster.

Charlotte’s family will receive friends Saturday August 3, 2024, at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville from 10 am to 11am. Funeral services celebrating Charlotte’s will then begin at 11am also at the chapel. Chaplain Steven Foraker of Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice will be officiating. Charlotte will be laid to rest next to her husband Bill in Fairview Cemetery following the service. To leave a message of condolence, share a memory or view services visit her obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com