Deola Bowen

Deola Faye Franklin Bowen was born on February 29, 1940, in Elmore City, Oklahoma to her parents, Bealie Franklin and Anniebelle Williams Franklin. She was the second born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brother, Maurice and many first cousins. As a child, Deola was mischievous but friendly. She loved pulling pranks and practical jokes. She loved icing the sidewalk just to watch people fall on the ice. The family eventually relocated to Denver, Colorado. Deola received her formal education by attending Denver Public Schools. She later enrolled in Emily Griffith Opportunity School, where she took classes in Culinary Arts. On June 24, 1967, Deola united in holy matrimony to Johnny Bowen in Denver. This marriage was later dissolved. Deola was the proud mother of three beautiful children, LaWanda, Michael and Myron. She was a mother whose pride and joy was the care and nurture of her family. She was later blessed with three grandchildren, Drake, Shontique and Shaniqua and six great grandchildren, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. By profession, Deola was employed as a Chef for Denver University. She is remembered as being hardworking, dedicated and always willing to lend a helping hand when needed. She also worked with Avon Products for over twenty years. She received numerous awards and bonuses for being a top producer within the company. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Deola has been a member of New Hope Baptist Church for over fifty years. She truly loved the worship service in the church and fellowship shared with her church family. Deola was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she loved long telephone conversations and watching cowboy movies. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed sewing for herself and other family members and friends. She was the type of person who never met a stranger. Her closest friends, Jane Rose and Rita Houston will miss the camaraderie they shared together and will miss her as a true and genuine friend. Deola was a true warrior. Over the past few years, she suffered the loss of several family members including both her children and parents. Being the true warrior she was, Deola carried a smile on her face and maintained her faith and trust in God. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this strong woman. To know Deola was to love her. She is preceded in death by her children, LaWanda Franklin, Michael Franklin; her parents, Bealie and Anniebelle Franklin and her brother, Maurice Franklin. Deola Faye Bowen departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on July 25, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include a son, Myron L. Bowen of Denver; 3 grandchildren, Drake L. Franklin, Sr. of Denver, Shontique L. Franklin of Aurora and Shaniqua "Shay" Franklin of Denver; 6 great grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 8/3/2015 at 9:00 AM - New Hope Baptist Church - 3701 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO
Service: 8/3/2015 at 10:00 AM - New Hope Baptist Church - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 8/3/2015 - Following the Service. Chapel Hill Cemetery - 6601 South Colorado Blvd. Littleton, CO