Martha Joyce Bowling or as those close to her call her, Joyce, was an avid reader with a passion for cooking, fishing, and taking care of others.

Whether she is making her famous homemade biscuits, pound cake, or Matt's cherry pie at Christmas, cooking was the way she expressed her deep love and admiration for others.

In her early life she fell in love with Duel B. Bowling, got married, and started a family. A former resident of Muscadine, Alabama and graduate of Cleburne County High School, she spent her entire adult life living on Highway 78 in Tallapoosa, Georgia. Mother to three children, Greg, Amanda, and Sam, she was a woman ahead of her time who found a deep satisfaction in being a working mom. She spent most of her career working at Bremen Medical Clinic as a business manager, and later retired from Dr. Hines office in Tallapoosa as an insurance specialist.

She held herself to a high standard and was deeply proud to have been a working woman. Along with a strong work ethic, she also believed in enjoying life to the fullest. Joyce loved vacationing all over the continental United States whether it was in the airstream, or simply a road trip. Coleman's lake and the Tallulah river were frequent stops for the airstream, and she enjoyed sitting by the campfire, fishing, and preparing food. Whether they were catching bass, trout, crappie, or catfish, Joyce loved being by her husband Duel's side. They had a place on Lake Weiss where they would spend summers with family, catching fish, and having a fish fry on the screened in back porch while the lightning bugs lit up the world around.

Her mind was sharp from all the word searches she did and the books she read, and sarcasm was often her favorite way to communicate. Deeply devoted to her family, Joyce loved visiting and traveling with her four siblings. If you had a conversation with her it would likely be about how proud she was of her family, what she wanted to whip up in the kitchen, or how much she wanted to go to the beach or the mountains.

As mentioned, food was the way she spread joy. Fried fish, homemade peach ice cream, canned vegetables fresh from her garden, jellies, jams, preserves, and of course her once-a-year beloved party mix were just some of her favorite ways to spoil those around her.

It's no wonder Joyce chose to pour herself into her work all those years, she was quite the shop-a-holic. Belk, Dillards, and Martins hated to see her coming. She would always tell you to "buy the shoes," or the shirt, or the dress. For her 87th birthday she was gifted cash by a family member, and couldn't wait to go shopping to spend it at Dillards. She loved trying on shoes until she found just the right pair.

Martha Joyce Bowling passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026. She was born on December 7, 1938, daughter to the late Elbert Perry and the late Mattie Kerr Perry.

She is survived by her husband, Duel B. Bowling; children, Greg Bowling of Tallapoosa, Amanda Clayton (Tim) of Carrollton; grandchildren, Holly Maddox (Eric) of Bremen, Michael Bowling (Rebecca) of Heflin, Madison Bowling of Bremen, Nettie Wingard (Levi) of Weaver, Alabama; great-grandchildren, Wilder, Jay, Caroline, Sam, Calleigh; sisters, Peggy Gains of Heflin, Alabama, Sarah Roberts (Cecil) of Tallapoosa; brother, Horace Perry (Pearl) of Heflin, Alabama.

In addition to her parents, Martha was also preceded in death by her son, Samuel Duel Bowling; brother, Lamar Perry.

She wasn't a come as you are kinda gal, but strived to always put her best foot forward. She believed in Sunday dresses, lipstick, and always having your hair done. In memory of her legacy, we ask you to wear your most vibrant colored Sunday best. She loved floral prints the most. A longtime member of Providence Baptist Church in Tallapoosa, Georgia, she will be remembered during a funeral service held in the church she and her husband, Duel, called home.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3pm from Providence Baptist Church with Rev. Curtis Pixler officiating. Music will be provided by Rene Bell. The family will receive friends at the church from 2pm-3pm until the service

hour.

In keeping with her wishes she will be cremated following the service.