Carolyn Sue Bowling

Carolyn Sue Bowling took the long and winding road to her final journey home on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

I consider my life to have been a long and winding road stopping in many different places. I left home at age five to receive an education at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton; graduating in 1969.

This education, along with love and encouragement from my parents, Cleveland L. Bowling (Sam) and Hettie Angus Bowling, prepared me for challenges at Lynchburg College (B.A. Psychology/Sociology (1973) and Virginia Commonwealth University (M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling May 1975).

I returned home, working at Central Virginia Training Center as a social worker until retirement, June 2004.

Someone told me once that my life couldn’t have been described as boring. I’ve been involved in an “Oldie’s Band” for over 20 years, volunteered at the Lynchburg Humane Society as a cat socializer, worked toward the betterment of life/opportunities for individuals who are blind or vision impaired (that includes me) through service on the Boards of The Alumni Associating for the Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind, the Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind and “Insight, Lynchburg”. Jeff Wilder, Chaplain and I wrote a book on grief, bereavement and loss, detailing our work with the developmentally disabled.

Along with my parents, I will be joined by my brother, Johnny L. Bowling; sister, Sandra Simpson and nephew, Carroll L. Simpson who preceded me in death.

Tonya Shelton (Chris), grandnieces, Heavyn and Heidi Ogden along with grandniece and grandnephew, Hannah Liz and Cole Simpson have been a wonderful part of my life. I would like to thank several of my cousins, Ronnie Wood (Becky), Bonny Campan and Betty and Gene Cash and their family for all the love they’ve given throughout the years.

I would especially like to remember some “special friends”, Betsy and George Corkill and their family, Jan Bradley, Jeff Wilder, Linda Arvanties, Elaine Moss, Katie Dillard, Doris Cann, Margie Bryant, Judy Alexander, Olde Stuff/Remnant Band members through the years, “Insight, Lynchburg” group, Craft Class members and volunteers and school mates at VSDB.

“Very Special Memories” Shadow, Ebony, Trouble and Mr. Bo Jangles, my four-legged children, I’ll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Lennon McCartney wrote these words: “There are places I remember all my life, though some have changed. Some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain…All these places have their moments with people/friends, I can still recall. I know I’ll often stop and think about them, in my life, I love you all.”

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, 828 Front Street, Lovingston, Virginia 22949.

Interment will be private.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to VAWB, Burkeville Lodge for the Blind, P.O. Box 116, Burkeville, Virginia 23922, Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Foundation (Gale Kurtz Fund) P.O. Box 2069, Staunton, Virginia 24402 or The Lynchburg Humane Society, 1211 Old Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg, Virginia 24502.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434) 263-4097.