Hilda Rae Bowlin Ham

Jan. 10, 1930-Dec. 29, 2021

Memorial services for Hilda Rae Bowlin Ham, 91, of Smithdale, were held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Smithdale with the Revs. Ted Bowlin, Kelly Dotson and Eric Moak officiating.

Interment followed in the church cemetery beside her beloved husband and daughter who preceded her in death.

Visitation was held from 9 a.m., until the time of service on Saturday, Jan. 1 at the church.

Mrs. Ham, who was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church and who was a devoted Bible student in teaching junior and adult Sunday School classes for more than 60 years, was born to William Lee Bowlin Jr., and Rettie Mae Jernigan Bowlin on Jan. 10, 1930, in Winnsboro, La., and passed away Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.

She was raised in Franklin County and attended primer through high school in Meadville, earned an associate of arts degree at Southwest Mississippi Junior College and received a bachelor of science degree in social and rehabilitation services.

At the age of 61, she graduated magna cum laude with a master of science degree in counseling psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and a retired Christian counselor.

As of Nov. 23, 2021, she read through the Bible 126 times.

Her desire was for every sinner to repent, believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

She taught piano and theory for 35 years as well as serving as a church pianist, and leaves a legacy of faith, education, music, southern charm and perseverance.

Hilda was married to Willie Ham of Jayess for more than 34 years. They raised their three daughters in Natchez.

They built their retirement home in Franklin County where she grew up on part of her grandfather’s estate. Life back in the country was a dream come true.

Hilda lived to see seven generations from her grandparents down to her great-great grandchildren.

She was known as Ga-Ga since the birth of her first grandchild in 1969.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother who will be missed by many who knew her and whose lives she influenced.
Hilda remained active in her church and community until the end of her life.

In her 90s, she crocheted a wedding afghan for her great-granddaughters and 40 baby afghans for future great-great grandchildren, plus more than 100 crocheted pillows for family and friends.

Her joy was to see others blessed.

Mrs. Ham was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Patsy Diane Ham Foote; her siblings and in-laws, Hazel and Ernest Donaldson, Georgia and Carl Thornton, Doris and Nelson Deas, Alton Thornton (killed in action during World War II), Marguerite Bowlin Pringle, Myrtle Bowlin, Christine Bowlin, Shelton Bowlin, baby boy Bowlin, John Bowlin and Claude Bowlin; her nieces, Deborah Thornton and Peggy Terrell, her nephews, Dalton Thornton and Carl David Thornton; and her grandsons-in-law, Jamie Webb and Shane Bullock.

Survivors include her two daughters, Sheila Maria Ham (Ray Trammel, deceased) and Joyce Ham Wilson and her husband, Carl Wilson; her son-in-law, Larry Foote; her 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Don Foote, Mitch and Amy Wilson, Wendell and Maureen Wilson, Heidi and Cory Harper, Bill and Kahla Trammel, Amy and Kelly Dotson, Katie Wilson, Kacee and Damian Hobson, Christi Webb and Mike Trammel; her great-grandchildren, Bailey and Carsyn Webb, Payton, Drew and Jeremy Wilson, Tanner and Maggie Wilson, Audrey and Hayden Harper, Alexander and Amelia Rose Dotson, Bryce, Brantley and AnnaClaire Bullock, Will Trammel and his wife, Hannah, Coleton and Mat Trammel, Sawyer Fortenberry and Lake Hobson; her great-great grandchildren, Keegan and Kason Webb and Eleanor Trammel; her brother, Pearlie Bowlin and his wife, Morese; her sisters-in-law, Nell Bowlin and Carolyn Bowlin; her brother-in-law, Allen Pringle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Online condolences can be shared at www.sharkeyfuneralhome.com

Sharkey Funeral Home of Summit was in charge of arrangements.