Mrs. Gloria Lee Smith Bowden, 89, of New Church, entered into the loving arms of Jesus on Monday, June 2, 2025, surrounded by her family and her beloved cat, Sonny, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Born on July 5, 1935, she was the daughter of the late William Edward Smith and the late Ella Mae Lankford Smith, of Makemie Park, where they resided on the Smith family farm.
She attended Atlantic High School in Oak Hall prior to marrying the love of her life, Herbert Hoover Bowden Sr., of Chincoteague.
She was a founding member of Pocomoke Church of God in Pocomoke City, renamed Living Waters Inspirational Church of God, where she was actively involved in all aspects of church operations, functions, ministries, and outreach for over 60 years. She was awarded Christian Woman of the Year, a Certificate of Recognition for Sunday School Outreach to local community nursing homes and retirement homes, and she was one of the first recipients of the Connie Pruitt Alleman Cornerstone Award.
She was the owner of Sunny Acres Mobile Homes in New Church. For 40 years, she prided herself in going above and beyond in assisting her customers all over Delmarva, many of whom were first-time homeowners.
In addition to working on her parents’ farm growing up, she also cooked for them, her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and her many siblings. She also worked as a poultry farmer, seamstress, and caregiver to an abundance of family members and friends.
Gloria is survived by her two daughters, Darlene Jane Citro (husband, Santino), of Oak Hall, and Karen Lee Bowden Banks (husband, Rodney), of Atlantic; a sister, Evalene Smith Ewell, whom she lovingly called Evelyn (husband, Eddy); two brothers, Richard William Smith, of Princess Anne, and Marvin Jerome Smith, of Snow Hill; her grandchildren, Jennifer Bowden Pack (husband, Don), Jason Allen Bowden (wife, Nicole), Jonathan Adam Bowden (wife, Angie), Joseph Andrew Bowden, Victoria Lynn Citro (fiancée, Rae), Jacqueline Lee Citro, Jacob Daniel Horsman, Sheena Lynn Horsman, Anna Hope Horsman, and Jessica Keller; her great-grandchildren, Noah Israel Pack, Camryn Gabrielle Bowden, Kirsten Brielle Bowden, Damienn Santino Anthony Citro, Abbygail Lynn Phillips, Nyla Jane Hinmon, and Amy Lynn Smack; a great-great-grandchild, Zariah Noel Bowden; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Herbert Hoover Bowden Sr.; a son, Herbert Hoover Bowden Jr.; a daughter-in-law, Angela McCready Bowden; a grandson, Joshua Aaron Bowden; a son-in-law, Ronnie Eugene Horsman; a sister, Fairy McGee, brothers, Edward Randolph Smith, Edward William Smith, and Charlie Franklin Smith; special sisters-in-law, Shirley Smith, Betty Smith, and Sue Smith; and a brother-in-law, Nelson McGee.
Arrangements included a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, at Thornton’s Funeral Home in Parksley and from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Living Waters Inspirational Church of God in Pocomoke City, followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m. conducted by the Rev. Greg Fentress, Bro. David Emely, and the Rev. Kevin Wilson.
Interment was in Downing’s Cemetery in Oak Hall, followed by a fellowship meal at Living Waters Inspirational Church of God in Pocomoke City.
Arrangements were by the Thornton Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Parksley.
