Ernestine Bowden Van Ness November 27, 1930- April 10, 2016 Columbus, GA- Ernestine Bowden Van Ness, 85, of Columbus, GA died Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Columbus Hospice House. Graveside services will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Parkhill Cemetery with Reverend Thad Smith officiating, according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907. Mrs. Van Ness was born November 27, 1930 in Lilly, GA, daughter of the late William Johnson and Omie McGough Johnson. She retired after 35 years with Sunshine Biscuit Company. She was a member of Morningside Baptist Church. She loved cooking, canning, knitting, crocheting and fishing. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Houston L. Bowden and her second husband, Luke Van Ness; brothers, George Johnson and Emmitt Gene Johnson; sisters, Elizabeth Jodery and Melba Joyce Campbell. Survivors include her sons, Alan Bowden (Sharon) of Cataula, GA , Earl Bowden (Patty) of Fortson, GA, Grandsons Brian Bowden of Columbus, GA, Jeffery Bowden of Fortson, GA, Brad Bowden of Cataula, GA; Granddaughter Jessica Bowden of LaGrange, GA and three Great Grandchildren. Sisters, Ruth Goodbar Clark of Amarillo, TX, and Sue Clark of Columbus, GA, her constant companion and care giver for the past five years; brother, William Sydney Johnson of Leesburg, GA. At the untimely death of her sister Melba Joyce Campbell, She and Houston Bowden petitioned and gained legal custody of Mrs. Campbell's five minor children; Sandra Kay Campbell Morgan (Roger) of Seale, AL, James Leland Campbell of Seale, AL, Steven Campbell of Columbus, GA (deceased), DeWayne Campbell (Sharon deceased) of Phenix City, AL and Harold Chris Campbell of Salem AL. She has two Great Nephews and one Great Niece as well as six Great Great Nieces and Nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Columbus Hospice House, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909.
Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, GA) - Tuesday, April 12, 2016