Valerie J. (Eckstein) Bowden

Valerie J. Bowden 65, of Columbus, Georgia died peacefully at her residence on Sunday, June 5, 2022 with her family by her side.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at St. Anne Catholic Church with Rev. Father Robert Schlageter officiating. Interment will be held in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 7, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Ga. 31907. The following will serve as active pallbearers; Byron Hickey, Lee Brantley, Perry Alexander, Thom Hendrick, Larry Campbell and Norm Easterbrook.

Valerie was born March 10, 1957 in La Rochelle, France daughter of the late Herman Arthur and Virginia Elizabeth Eckstein. Valerie’s spent her life caring and giving to people. After graduating Columbus (College) State University, she worked with various accounting firms ultimately entering the health care field, first with the Columbus Medical Center and finally at New Horizons Behavioral Health as its Chief Financial Officer. Valerie joined Kiwanis where she was an active member, serving on various committees, becoming treasurer, and then president. She often volunteered for various charities from annual children’s Christmas toy drives or participated in fun runs to raise awareness for mental health, autism, cancer, and many others causes essential to other’s well being. Valerie was a servant leader in that she gave of herself in the caring of family and friends and those who needed something, even if just encouragement. She went about quietly doing things that made a difference, whether it was on a spreadsheet or changing people and making them better than they knew they could be.

Other than her parents, Valerie was preceded in death by her brother David Eckstein.

Survivors include her husband Peter F. Bowden of Columbus, Georgia, sisters and brothers, Anna Rulon (David), William Eckstein (Cathy), Paul Eckstein all of Columbus, Georgia and Thomas Eckstein of Phenix City, Alabama. Valerie is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be accepted, those so desiring may make contributions to St. Anne Outreach 2000 Kay Circle Columbus, Georgia 31907 or New Horizons Giving Fund P.O. Box 5328 Columbus, Georgia 31906.

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