Mary Joe Bowling, 80, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on February 1, 2023, in Danville, Kentucky.
Mary Joe was born on September 12, 1942, in Louisville, KY, to Mary Edith and George Clark. She graduated from Assumption High School and started her career at The Courier-Journal Newspaper. She married her loving husband of 59 years, John W.D. Bowling in 1963, in Louisville, Kentucky. Mary Joe and John moved to Danville, Kentucky in 1969, where they raised their children.
In 1991, Mary Joe opened one of Danville’s first bed and breakfasts, Twin Hollies, welcoming patrons and hosting gatherings for 10 years. She was best known for volunteering throughout her community with many organizations and especially with her church. She was instrumental in starting Danville Sister Cities and currently served as a board member. Additionally, she was very involved in the Danville Arts, St. Catherine’s (Springfield, Kentucky) and Pioneer Playhouse Theater. Mary Joe also served on many church committees at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church as well as volunteering with the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Heritage Hospice, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Marriage Encounter and many more.
Mary Joe is preceded in death by her parents, Edith and George Clark and siblings, John Clark, Fred Clark and Mary Vessels.
Mary Joe cherished spending time with her family, whether it was traveling overseas, hiking on nature trails, walking with her grandchildren, listening to poetry and just being present and still in the presence of family.
Mary Joe is survived by her husband John W.D. Bowling, son Chris (Gwynn) Bowling of Lexington, KY, daughters Shannon (Troy) Byers of Memphis, TN, and Shelley (Rives) Pringle of Gulfport, MS. She is adored and is survived by her six grandchildren: Price (Callaway) Byers; Cecilia Pringle (Jake) Coulter; John Christopher Byers; Allington Bowling; Elizabeth Pringle; and Dant Bowling. She was an integral part of their lives and they all loved their time with “Nana”. Mary Joe is also survived by her sister Fran (Jim) Downs, brother George Clark, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the amazing team at Danville Heritage Hospice that cared for Mary Joe.
The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 12:00 p.m. at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church and a reception will follow at 2 p.m. at the Danville Country Club, Danville, Kentucky. A private burial was held at Bellevue Cemetery, Danville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Joe’s honor to Danville Sister Cities (P.O.Box 670 Danville, Kentucky 40423), Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, or New Pioneers (Newpioneers.org). Online guestbook available at www.stithcares.com