Amelia N. Bowles

Amelia’s Story

Amelia Novella Bowles, 82, was born on Friday, September 17, 1943, in Winona, West Virginia. She transitioned from earth to glory on Tuesday, August 18,2026 in Easton, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Bowles and Mary Magdelina Howard Bowles. She was lovingly known as “Mom,” “Momma,” “Nanny,” “Millie,” and “Ms. Millie.”

Amelia graduated from Nuttall High School in Lookout, West Virginia, in 1961 and moved to Easton, Pennsylvania, shortly afterwards. She shared many years of love and companionship with her soulmate, Cary Crowell.

A longtime member of Shiloh Baptist Church, now Greater Shiloh Church, Amelia’s faith was an important part of her life. She loved reading the Bible and praying.

After holding several jobs, Amelia worked for the American Can Company, later James River Corporation. However, some of her most meaningful work was caring for children. Millie babysat many children and served as a foster mother for Pinebrook Services for Children & Youth. She welcomed every child as her own, and her devotion earned her several Outstanding Foster Parent of the Year awards.

Millie loved deeply, gave freely, and protected fiercely. Everyone knew she did not play when it came to her children. Her love extended to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, foster children, and children throughout the community. Her door was always open to those in need, providing shelter and food to anyone who needed it.

Cooking was one of Millie’s greatest expressions of love. Her Easter and Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas celebrations, and family cookouts brought everyone together around tables filled with food, laughter, and fellowship. In earlier years, her gift for cooking also extended to Shiloh Baptist Church, where she catered many meals and special occasions.

Millie’s life reflected faith, generosity, protection, and unconditional love. Her door was open, her table always had room, and her heart always had space for one more. The children she nurtured, the people she fed and sheltered, and the love she freely gave will remain her lasting legacy.

Millie enjoyed card games on her computer, art activities, helping her grandchildren with homework, and, above all, spending time with family. In her later years, her daughter, Lisa, lovingly cared for her. Together they shared Bible study and prayer every morning and evening, a treasured part of their time together.

She leaves to cherish her memory her four children, Keith Bowles (Dawn) of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania; Jamie Bowles Johnson (Quincy) of Easton, Pennsylvania; Misty Holmes Dorsey (Jeffrey Sr.) of Palmer Township, Pennsylvania; and Lisa Holmes of Easton, Pennsylvania.

She also leaves her grandchildren: James “Pop” Parker (Adriana), Keith Bowles Jr. (Bobbi), Malissa Keenan (Brian), Theron Bowles (Ravette), Robert Walthall IV, Aleaha Fredericks, Brittany Walthall Slotter (Zachary), Jeffrey Dorsey Jr., Jessica Chapman (Maurice), and Ahjah Ward Griffith (Jeffrey); and her great-grandchildren: Jayden B., Juelz, Quaion, Charish, Jayden J., Maurice Jr., Baizjon, Jayceon, Joseph, Jael, James V, Ariyon, Julian, A’shya, Nevaeh, Josiah, Kaden, Kyrus, Destiny, Anaya, and Olive.

She also leaves her sisters, Blanche Redden of Rochester, New York; Bernice Alvin of Winnsboro, South Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, foster children, and friends.

She also leaves her companion, Cary Crowell, as well as her dear friends of more than 40 years, Natalie, Ella, Cindy, Pearl, and Fran, whom she loved like a daughter, and David, whom she called her bonus son.

Amelia was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Mary Bowles; her daughter, Twila “Bunny” Pierce; her grandson, Jordan Newman; and her siblings, Doris, Pete, Danielle, Delma, Barbara, and Ruth.

She has entered into her eternal rest. — Revelation 14:13

Services will take place at Greater Shiloh Church on Friday August 28th, 2026. The viewing will take place from 10 AM to 11 AM, followed by the Homegoing celebration. Burial at Hays Cemetery will conclude services.