Hilda Rae Bowlin Ham, 91, of Smithdale, MS entered into her heavenly home December 29, 2021.

Visitation will be at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Smithdale, MS on January 1, 2022, from 9 until 11am with the memorial service to follow. Reverend Ted Bowlin, Reverend Kelly Dotson and Reverend Eric Moak will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery beside her beloved husband and daughter who preceded her in death. Sharkey Funeral Home, Summit, MS is in charge of arrangements.

Hilda was the seventh of twelve children. She was born January 10, 1930, in Winnsboro, LA the daughter of William Lee Bowlin, Jr. and Rettie Mae Jernigan Bowlin.

Hilda was raised in Franklin County, MS and attended school from primer through High School in Meadville, MS. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Southwest MS Junior College and 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 at USM, Hattiesburg, MS. She was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and a retired Christian Counselor.

Hilda was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and a devoted Bible student. She taught Junior and Adult Sunday School classes for over 60 years. As of November 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. Hilda taught piano and theory for 35 years as well as being a church pianist. She leaves a legacy of faith, education, music, southern charm and perseverance.

Hilda was married to Willie Ham of Jayess, MS for over 34 years. They raised their three daughters in Natchez, MS. They built their retirement home in Franklin County, MS 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 nineties, she crocheted a wedding afghan for her great granddaughters and 40 baby afghans for future great-great grandchildren, plus over 100 crocheted pillows for family and friends. Her joy was to see others blessed.

Hilda was preceded in death by her parents and husband, her daughter, Patsy Diane Ham Foote; sisters and brothers-in-law; Hazel and Ernest Donaldson, Georgia and Carl Thornton, Doris and Nelson Deas, and Alton Thornton (WWII KIA), Marguerite Bowlin Pringle, Myrtle Bowlin, Christine Bowlin, Shelton Bowlin and baby boy Bowlin. Brothers, John Bowlin and Claude Bowlin; nieces Deborah Thornton and Peggy Terrell, nephews, Dalton Thornton and Carl David Thornton, grandson-in-laws, Jamie Webb and Shane Bullock.

Survivors include two daughters; Sheila Maria Ham (Ray Trammel, deceased), Joyce Ham Wilson and husband Carl Wilson, and son-in-law, Larry Foote; 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. 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 wife Hannah, Coleton and Mat Trammel, Sawyer Fortenberry and Lake Hobson; great-great grandchildren, Keegan and Kason Webb and Eleanor Trammel. Brother Pearlie and wife, Morese Bowlin, Sisters-in-law Nell Bowlin and Carolyn Bowlin; brother-in-law, Allen Pringle; numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Mitch Wilson, Drew Wilson, Wendell Wilson, Tanner Wilson, Bill Trammel, Mike Trammel, Bryce Bullock, Brantley Bullock, Cory Harper and Hayden Harper. Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Foote, Carl Wilson, Don Foote, Jeremy Wilson, Milton Smith and Mike Thornton.