Sylvia Anne Bowling (formerly Stewart) passed away peacefully at her home in Meramec Bluffs, surrounded by her loved ones, on the morning of Monday, December 22, 2014 at the age of 85.

“Dee Gee” , as Sylvia was nicknamed, was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to the late Alvin & Mary Hicks on September 17, 1929.

Sylvia earned her Master’s degree in Music Education. She was the first Music teacher at Lindbergh High School and started their marching band. She also founded and directed “The Eighth Notes”, a women’s musical group. Later in life she was the Director of Music Ministry, the Choir Director and the founder and director of the Bell Choir at Southminster Presbyterian Church. She was an inspiration and mentor for many people over the course of her life.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Vernon Gene Bowling; her two children Linda Loos and David (Brenda) Stewart; her dear grandchildren John Loos, Michelle Loos, Nicole Stewart and Mitchell Stewart; her great-grandchildren Quincy Loos and Alexandria Loos; her sister Mary Schery; her nieces Elizabeth Stephens and Barbara Tippins; and many dear friends.

A memorial gathering will be held for her at the Southminster Presbyterian Church of Crestwood, Missouri on Saturday, January 3rd, 2014 beginning at 10:00am with a formal service at 11:00 am. Her ashes will be interred privately at a later date. Memorial donations in her honor can be made to the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/stl/) or to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). Please leave your memories of her and messages for the family below.