BOWLDS, Betty June (Mongo)

Betty June Wright Bowlds, 73, went to be with our Lord Dec. 1, 2004. Betty was born June 20,1931 in Gorgas, Alabama. She studied at the Murphy School of Art in Mobile, Alabama, and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Betty is better known as "Mongo" to the Art Community and to her grandchildren. She is well known in the Southeast and Rio Grand Valley where she owned and operated her own studios and galleries. She was proud of the hundreds of students she has taught. Her paintings hang in many private and corporate collections throughout the country. Betty also moved to Denver, Colorado, and became the first female Police Officer in Denver. She is survived by three sons, Larry (Janet) Sumerlin, Gregg Sumerlin, and Joel (Donna) Sumerlin; six grandchildren, June, Hanna, Joshua, Matthew, David, and Anna; and seven great grandchildren, John, Derk, Landon, Emma, Annabelle, Christian and Brandon. She was preceded in death by her husband Stan Bowlds. 12/07/2004 The White Mountain Independent