Elease Williams Bowling, 96, of La Plata, died July 24, 2013, at her home in La Plata.

Born October 19, 1916, in Coats, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Sheba Wiggins and the late Charlie Williams.

Mrs. Bowling attended Coats Elementary/High School in Coats, NC. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina Teachers College, now East Carolina University.

On October 19, 1945, she married Garth Edward Bowling, upon his return from World War II.

She taught in North Carolina for six years and in Arlington, Virginia, for one year before moving to Charles County, where she taught until her retirement in 1976. She taught second grade at Indian Head Elementary, Glasva Elementary, LaPlata Elementary, Walter Mitchell Elementary and Port Tobacco Elementary.

Following retirement, she volunteered at the local hospital in La Plata for many years. She also volunteered as a teacher for adults who could not read. She was a member of the United Methodist Women in La Plata, the Two and One Club at the Clark Senior Center, and the Charles County Retired Teachers Association.

She enjoyed reading, playing the piano, and helping others.

She is survived by her children, Garth Bowling, Jr. and his wife Debra; Mark Bowling and his wife Linda; sister Hilda Pope; grandchildren Kelly Bowling and Hunter Bowling.

Visitation will be held July 28 at the La Plata United Methodist Church from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will take place at the church on July 29 at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the United Methodist Church Cemetery in Dentsville.

Pallbearers will be Hunter Bowling, Larry Bowling, Garry Williams, Kevin Pope, Keith Cade and Warren Cade. Honorary pallbearers will be Barry Harding, Gregg Willson, Justin Bowie, Rick Rogers, Ted Rogers, and John Matthews.

Memorial contributions may be made to La Plata United Methodist Church, 3 Port Tobacco Road, P.O. Box 2824, La Plata, MD 20646.

Arrangements will be handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata.