Obituary of Norma Madeline Bowlin

Norma Madeline Bowlin - Kingsport - Norma Short Bowlin, 89, of Kingsport, passed away on June 2, 2014, of natural causes after spending several years in Holston Manor Nursing Home. Norma Madeline Short was born on October 5, 1924 to parents Grace and Henry Short in Clintwood Virginia. She graduated from Clintwood High School where she excelled in sports, especially girls softball. Later she moved to Kingsport and began working at Eastman where she met and married Robert Bowlin in 1947. Norma and Robert were members of Glenwood Baptist Church. Norma sang in the choir and was active in the American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary, VFW, and in the VFW Auxiliary. For 26 years Norma did volunteer work at the VA hospital, Mountain Home, by bringing a group of women to play bingo with the injured soldiers every week. She was also an active member of the Kozy Korner Club and the Kingsport Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, for which she served a term as Worthy Matron. After being happily married to Norma for over 53 years, Robert died on December 3, 2000. She was preceded in death by her four siblings; Claude and Carlos Short , Helen Short Turner, and Vera Short Sluss. Norma is survived by two sisters, Glenda Lovegrove, of Billerica, MA and Joyce Skeens of Lewisburg, WV; sister-in-law, Trixie Bowlin Stringer, who tenderly cared for her during Norma's many years living alone as an invalid, in assisted living, and in the Holston Manor Nursing Home; In addition, she is survived by nephews, Tommy Short, Joe Harvey Short, David Short, Kip Short, Edwin and Joel Skeens, Alex and Richard Sluss; nieces, Donna Leftwich, Susan Blansett, Molly Cantrell, and Robin McGaunn. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 6, 2014 from 10 am to 12 noon at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, 520 Watauga Street, Kingsport. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon with Rev. Richard Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Kingsport Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Bowlin family.