Hettie Delores Bowden of Tangier Island

Hettie Dolores Bowden, 74, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted friend and servant to the Lord, passed away Friday, October 15, 2021 surrounded by her family. A lifelong resident of Tangier Island, VA, Hettie was born February 5, 1947 to the late Fred Colson Crockett and Mary Ellen Charnock Crockett.

As the matriarch of the Bowden family, Hettie led by example through her unwavering commitment to God, her willingness to help those in need, and her limitless love and support to her family and community. She was a faithful member of Swain United Methodist Church, where she was a dedicated volunteer and choir member. Hettie was always first to sign up for the soup kitchen and looked forward to spreading joy and sunshine during visits with shut-ins and seniors. Known as “the island cake maker,” Hettie actively put the needs of others before her own and will be forever remembered for the invaluable role she played in bringing happiness to all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Hettie was predeceased by her husband, Johnie Woodland Bowden; her son, Johnie Woodland Bowden, Jr.; and brother, Freddie Crockett.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Mary Parks and her husband, Norman, and Melissa Parks; grandchildren, Elana Thomas and her husband, Brett, and Scott, Sydney, and Matthew Parks; and great-granddaughter, Natalie Thomas, all of Tangier; as well as special friends, Andy and Sue Hurst, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and neighbors, all of whom she loved like family.

A service to celebrate Hettie’s life will be held at the Swain Memorial United Methodist Church on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., with The Reverend Charles W. Parks III and Elder Duane Crockett officiating. Interment will follow in the New Testament Church Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the church on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Flowers will be accepted, or contributions in Hettie’s memory may be made to Swain Memorial UMC, P.O. Box 199, Tangier, VA 23440.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams Funeral Homes, Onancock and Parksley, VA.

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