Anne Hollis Cooner Bowlus

Anne Hollis Cooner Bowlus passed away peacefully Saturday, April 6, 2024, at The Madison Health and Rehab in Madison, Mississippi. She was surrounded all month by family and a large group of caregivers whom she loved dearly. Born February 22, 1935, in Jasper, Alabama, her parents were the late Judge Rufus Andrew Cooner and the late Lucille Hollis Cooner.

Reared in Mobile, Alabama, Anne attended Old Shell Road Elementary School and Murphy High School. In the summer of 1951, she was selected to attend the Westminster Choir College summer program in Princeton, New Jersey. During her senior year of high school, Anne wrote a five-day-a-week newspaper column entitled "Tween Us Teens" for The Mobile Press Register. She was a soprano soloist in Murphy High School's operetta and at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church.

Anne attended Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia, where she was one of the choir soloists and the recipient of the Outstanding English Award. Transferring to Mississippi Southern College (The University of Southern Mississippi), Anne met her future husband, William Edward Bowlus, who had just returned from military service in Korea. They were married on September 4, 1954.

Anne was a member of Delta Delta Delta. She was inducted into Tri Delta's Golden Circle in 2005 and became a life loyal member in 2006.

Graduating with highest honors from The University of Southern Mississippi in August 1955, Anne and Bill moved to Jackson, Mississippi, for him to enter the first four-year class at the University of Mississippi Medical School. During Bill's years in medical school, his internship, and residencies in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neurology, Anne taught school at Watkins, French, Duling, and Spann Elementary Schools. During these years, Anne served as president of The Medical Students' Auxiliary. After Bill entered private practice, Anne served as president of the Central Medical Society Auxiliary. Anne received her Master of Arts Degree from Mississippi College in 1966.

In 1970, Anne began working as the bookkeeper in Bill's medical office, a position she held for 37 years. She was a member of The Watkins Luncheon Club, The Debutante Mothers' Club, and The Hobby Club. Anne enjoyed sewing and handwork. She was a voracious reader and traveled extensively in Europe and Asia. Anne adored the many pets she and Bill had over the years.

Anne is survived by her daughters Catherine Dianne Bowlus Hedgepeth (Mitchell) of Madison, Mississippi, and Karen Anne Bowlus McLemore of Ridgeland, Mississippi. Her beloved grandchildren are Pamela Parkinson Ware of Madison, Mississippi, William Mitchell Hedgepeth (Lacey) of Brandon, Mississippi, and Mallory Anne McLemore Ward (Jacob) of Bartlett, Tennessee. Her great-granddaughters are Holly Elizabeth Ware, Rhysanne Faye Hedgepeth, Corley Jeanette Hedgepeth, and Avah Anne Ward.

In addition to her parents, Anne was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Dr. William Edward Bowlus and her only sibling Dr. William Hollis Cooner of Mobile, Alabama.

Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on April 11, 2024, at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland, Mississippi. A celebration of life service and interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. The Reverend Bruce Case will officiate. Pallbearers are The Reverend Mitchell Hedgepeth, William Mitchell Hedgepeth, Jonathan Hollis Cooner, Michael C. Hedgepeth, Andrew Bernard Divine, Justin L. Gordon, and Jacob Craig Ward.

Memorials may be made to Community Animal Rescue & Adoption (CARA) or a charity of your choice. The mailing address for CARA is P.O. Box 231, Clinton, MS 39060.