Edna Mae (Thompson) Nowling, 90, of Evansville, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Good Samaritan Home in Oakland City.

She was born May 7, 1923, in Leitchfield, Ky. to the late Walter “Lee” and Luzena (Miller) Thompson.

She grew up in Scottsburg, and married her husband, Al, during World War II. She and Al had three children: Doug Nowling, Vicki Higginson and Kathy Reeves. She was a devoted mother and loved each of her children unconditionally.  One of Edna’s favorite activities was to have her grandchildren spend weekends at her house. Despite endless games of Monopoly and Sorry, hours of arts and crafts, Edna still loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly.  

She had such amazing grace – a divine love and protection that she bestowed freely on people. This quality made Edna such a wonderful person and a very popular Sunday school teacher, where the children knew her as Miss Edna. She taught hundreds of five and six year olds through the years at Forest Hills Baptist Church, where she was a member.

Edna was also passionate about making sure her family remembered they were a family. For years, Edna would host family holidays and birthdays with Al. And, after Al passed away in 1988, she continued that tradition of hosting family dinners and burning the rolls. To this day, whenever the family gathers, we all talk about how Edna always burned the rolls.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred “Al” M. Nowling; parents; and brother, Kenneth Thompson.   

Edna is survived by her children; grandchildren, Andrea Nowling Huguely, Grant Nowling, Dara Scherzinger, Jenny Nowling, Kelly Higginson, Erin Bladow and Kirk Nowling; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be 1 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2014, at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Rev. Tyrone Edwards, with entombment in Alexander Memorial Park.  Friends may visit Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Gardening and puttering in her yard were also a passion for Edna, so in loving honor of Edna, the family requests flowers. After Edna’s celebration of life, those flowers will be given to area nursing homes to brighten the day of those who are homebound. It’s what Edna would want us to do – show others amazing grace.

The family wishes to thank the caring team of caregivers at the Good Samaritan Home who provided such good care to Edna.