Obituary for Mildred Gibson Bowles Wade
Mildred Gibson (Millie) Bowles Wade, 87, of Salem, gained her angel wings on Sunday, March 7, 2021.
She was born on November 2, 1933, in Roanoke, Va., daughter of the late Oscar Thomas Gibson, Sr. and Myrtie Dickerson Gibson.
Millie was well known for her witty personality and infectious smile. She was an incredibly positive person and a true joy to be around. She was a long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church and most recently with Cave Spring Methodist Church. As someone who thoroughly enjoyed singing and spreading the joy she had for the Lord, it was to no surprise that she became a member of the choir while in attendance at both church affiliations. She was also a member of The Jubilee Jug Band, a group of singers, like herself, who traveled around to numerous nursing homes to sing for their residents. Millie was also a Sunday School teacher for numerous years, teaching young adult couples. When not working, singing, or spending time at church, she might have been found square dancing, bowling, playing cards or working puzzles as these were all favorite past time activities of hers.
Above it all, Millie will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all that knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, James Robert Bowles; her first husband, William Benjamin “Bill” Bowles; her second husband, Robert Layman “Bob” Wade, Sr.; brothers, Gary Gene “Pete” Gibson and Jack Wayne Gibson; and her sister, Naida Gibson Saunders.
Family remaining to cherish Millie’s memory include her son, William Corbin “Corkey” Bowles (Susan), of Salem; stepsons, David Wade (Fay), of Atlanta, Ga., Rob Wade (Sharlene), of Waynesboro, Va.; grandchildren, Courtney and Christopher Bowles, Blake and Ben Wade, and Bryan and Tyler Battaglia; great-grandson, Elijah Phelps-Bowles; brothers, Tom Gibson (Joyce), Dick Gibson (Sue) and Doug Gibson (Judy); and her sister-in-law, Marcia Gibson.
Funeral services to honor her memory will be conducted on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, in Salem, with Chaplain Roy Kanode officiating.
Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park, also in Salem.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Millie’s memory to either Good Samaritan Hospice, or The Oaks at Richfield.
She was born on November 2, 1933, in Roanoke, Va., daughter of the late Oscar Thomas Gibson, Sr. and Myrtie Dickerson Gibson.
Millie was well known for her witty personality and infectious smile. She was an incredibly positive person and a true joy to be around. She was a long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church and most recently with Cave Spring Methodist Church. As someone who thoroughly enjoyed singing and spreading the joy she had for the Lord, it was to no surprise that she became a member of the choir while in attendance at both church affiliations. She was also a member of The Jubilee Jug Band, a group of singers, like herself, who traveled around to numerous nursing homes to sing for their residents. Millie was also a Sunday School teacher for numerous years, teaching young adult couples. When not working, singing, or spending time at church, she might have been found square dancing, bowling, playing cards or working puzzles as these were all favorite past time activities of hers.
Above it all, Millie will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all that knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, James Robert Bowles; her first husband, William Benjamin “Bill” Bowles; her second husband, Robert Layman “Bob” Wade, Sr.; brothers, Gary Gene “Pete” Gibson and Jack Wayne Gibson; and her sister, Naida Gibson Saunders.
Family remaining to cherish Millie’s memory include her son, William Corbin “Corkey” Bowles (Susan), of Salem; stepsons, David Wade (Fay), of Atlanta, Ga., Rob Wade (Sharlene), of Waynesboro, Va.; grandchildren, Courtney and Christopher Bowles, Blake and Ben Wade, and Bryan and Tyler Battaglia; great-grandson, Elijah Phelps-Bowles; brothers, Tom Gibson (Joyce), Dick Gibson (Sue) and Doug Gibson (Judy); and her sister-in-law, Marcia Gibson.
Funeral services to honor her memory will be conducted on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 11 a.m., in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, in Salem, with Chaplain Roy Kanode officiating.
Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park, also in Salem.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Millie’s memory to either Good Samaritan Hospice, or The Oaks at Richfield.