from The Harrodsburg Newspaper – April 19, 1899

Mrs. Virginia Bowman, wife of Mr. Dudley M. Bowman, died of cancer of the stomach, at her late home, on South Main Street, Friday, 1 o’clock p.m., April 14, 1899, aged 73 years.  She was a daughter of the late Abram and Nancy Smith and removed, when a child, with her parents from Garrard to this county, where she afterward resided.  While a school girl at Georgetown, she became a member of the Christian Church and, for nearly sixty years, she was a most faithful and active member.  In the year 1842, she and Dudley M. Bowman were united in marriage and this happy union lasted fifty-seven years.  Notwithstanding she was only sixteen years of age when she assumed charge of a large establishment and her matronly duties were onerous, with numerous slaves to manage, she found time to work in the vineyard of her Redeemer; and with her devoted husband became a charter member of the old Cane Run Christian Church where her prayers and alms-deeds have long since ascended to the Throne of Grace.  Besides a grief-sticken and sadly bereaved husband, she leaves four children – two daughters, Mrs. Nannie Moore, widow of the late B. M. Moore, and Mrs. Virginia Cassell, wife of Mr. J. L. Cassell, and two sons, Messrs. Dudley M. Bowman, Jr., of Kansas City, Missouri, and A. Smith Bowman, of Lexington.  Of her father’s family of six children, only one is living, the youngest, Miss Nannie Smith.  The funeral, Saturday afternoon, at the Christian Church, was conducted by Rev. Burney Pinkerton, of Hustonville, and the interment was in Spring Hill Cemetery.  The many friends that attended the obsequies and the long cortege that followed the remains to their last earthly resting place evidenced the high esteem in which the deceased was regarded.

D. M. Bowman, born June 23, 1820, died October 2, 1901

Virginia Smith, wife of D. M. Bowman, born April 22, 1826, died April 14, 1899

Spring Hill Cemetery, Mercer County, Kentucky