Pastor's Blog

Myrtle Earlene Ladnier Bowden, 74, of Grand Bay, AL, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 6, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents Vivian and John M. (Dub) Ladnier Sr. and half-brother Dalton Ladnier.

Myrtle was a faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. She retired from the Mobile County Public School System after 30 years of service. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Myrtle was a wedding planner, coordinator and flower designer. She was a kind, warm-hearted woman who would do anything for anyone. Throughout her life, Myrtle was involved in numerous church activities including the bus ministry at Friendship, director of Vacation Bible School, Ladies Helping Hands ministry, and devout Sunday School teacher. She loved the Lord and demonstrated His love through serving others.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Samuel Allen Bowden Sr., sister Cecil (Warren) Guidry, brother John M. (Teresa) Ladnier Jr.; her children Dana (Dave) Childress, Samuel A. (Jennifer) Bowden, and Tiffany Fox; her 6 grandchildren Shea Collier, Todd Blackmon, Carleigh Bowden, Alivia Fox, Cade Bowden, and Peyton Fox; her great-grandchildren Ava Collier, Barrett Blackmon, Max Collier, Emi Kate Collier, and Cullen Blackmon along with numerous other relatives and friends.

The visitation will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. and the celebration of life service on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Both will be held at Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. Interment will be at Grand Bay Cemetery. John Warren Guidry, Joey Guidry, John M. Ladnier III, Scotty Bowden, Todd Blackmon, and Cade Bowden will be serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mission of Hope, Mobile, AL or Ladies Helping Hands, Friendship Baptist Church.