Patricia Anne (Keil) Bowden

Memorial services for Patricia Anne (Keil) Bowden will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 11:00 AM, at Faith Lutheran Church; 123 Luther Lane; Gainesville, TX.  There will be no visitation service held.  Patricia Bowden passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord at home on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.  She will be sorely missed.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Henrietta Keil; husband Joe Bowden; brother Jim Keil; and sister Nancy Keil.  She is survived by her daughter Carrie Bowden Fontenot; son William Keil Bowden; son-in-law Jake Fontenot; sister-in-law Mary Keil; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends.

Patricia Anne Keil Bowden was born on October 16, 1944, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Bill and Henrietta Keil.  She was the youngest of three children, joining brother Jim, and sister Nancy.  The family moved to Gainesville, TX, in 1948 for her father’s new job.  Patty attended Gainesville public schools, graduating with honors from Gainesville High School in the Class of 1962.  While in GISD schools, Patty was a charter member of both the GJHS Blue Blazes Drill Team and the GHS White Wave.  She loved music and excelled in dance.  However, her best skill was friendship, and she maintained close friendships with many of her classmates for her entire life.

Patty Keil married Joe Bowden on August 4, 1962.  Their marriage was blessed with two children, Carrie and Keil. They celebrated 54 years together, with Joe passing in 2016.  The Lord reunited Patty and Joe on November 15, 2022.  She passed secure in her love and knowledge of God.

Patty attended Cooke County Junior College and graduated from UNT in 1966 with a major in English and minors in French and history.  She also earned a Texas secondary education certification and began her teaching career at GISD.  She served the children of Gainesville, TX, for 34 years as an excellent teacher.  Her first 14 years of service were at Gainesville Junior High School where she taught language arts, literature, and reading to hundreds of students.  Then, she moved to GHS where, for 20 more years, she taught English II, French I and II, and directed the White Wave Drill Team.  Patty also worked countless hours tutoring students who needed extra help and as a UIL sponsor for many award-winning GHS students.  If another teacher needed help, Patty was always willing to lend a hand.  She was truly a wonderful coworker and friend!  Patty retired from GISD in 2000 and moved on to a second career of further supporting her church, community, and education.  She worked at Dansk in the Gainesville Outlet Mall, Barron’s Jewelry Store, and E-Tools for Education, where she was a Texas Education Accreditation Field Supervisor.  She volunteered for her church in many positions including working at the Helping Hands of Faith Thrift Store and at Home Hospice of Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties; she volunteered at the Friends of the Library and VISTO’s Backpack Buddies program, which feeds undernourished children on the weekends when school lunches are unavailable; and she also volunteered as the GISD UIL spelling contest pronouncer for many years. Patty served in Delta Kappa Gamma, Cooke County Retired School Personnel, Women in Christ, Cub and Boy Scouts, and Bluebirds and Campfire Girls.  She was tireless in her support of the people of Gainesville, especially the children.  She loved them, and her students loved Mrs. Bowden!  She is truly a lost treasure to her family, friends, and community.

If you wish to offer a memorial gift other than flowers, the family suggests donations to Home Hospice of Cooke County, Faith Lutheran Church, or your favorite charity in Patty Bowden’s memory.

WELL DONE, THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!  REST WELL.