Carol S. Bowen

Carol Sue Vail-Bowen, 91, of Coffeyville, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

Carol was born October 21, 1931, in Wichita then adopted at age five by William and Bessie (Parker) Engler and raised in Parsons, graduating from high school in 1949.

In 1950, she married Raymond Vail and together they raised seven children on a farm near Angola. They later divorced and Carol moved first to Independence and then to Coffeyville while she worked at Emerson Electric until her retirement in 1997.

She married Lloyd Bowen in 1994.

Carol enjoyed writing short stories and poems, solving word puzzles, antiquing, attending auctions and horse races, and traveling. While she cherished her family and home, we all know her heart belonged to the Kansas City Chiefs!

Survivors include: one daughter, Karen Gudde (Robert) of Edna; three sons, Marty Vail (Koko) of Coffeyville, Jeff Vail of Coffeyville, and Joe Vail (Shelly) of Austin, Texas; nineteen grandchildren; a multitude of great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and special friends, Marlita Wolford and Lee Merrick.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Bowen; long-time partner, Jack Mcginnes; sister, Virginia Lee Shields; and three beloved sons: Fred Vail, Rod Vail, and Danny Vail.

The visitation will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons, Kansas. The funeral service will immediately follow at 6:00 p.m.