Lora Ellen Huff Bowling, 67, of New Haven, died Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at her home in the arms of her loving husband and family. This was after a well-fought battle with colorectal and lung cancer. She was born Oct. 11,1958, in Louisville to Willis and Mary Huff Sr. She married John Carroll Bowling, the love of her life, Oct. 14, 1983.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother (Mimi), sister, sister-in-law and friend to so many. She was a Catholic and a member of St Catherine Catholic Church. She was the backbone of the family during her husband’s military career for more than 30 years and kept things together at home through all the long deployments.
She loved her kids, grandkids and friends. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends. She hosted the Huff family reunion for more than 30 years. She loved to dance, bowl and a good casino. She was the life of the party. She always planned to leave early but was the last one to leave. She never met a stranger. If she had a chance meeting with someone on vacation, she would remain friends the rest of her life. As Mimi, she always made every grandchild believe and feel as though they were her favorite. She would also say, “Just because Mom or Dad said no, doesn’t mean Mimi did”.
She relished the opportunity to go “junking” at yard sales, thrift stores and auctions. Together with her husband, they would find old furniture, fix it, and she would either sell it, give it away, or most likely, keep it. Their house is full of interesting old stuff, as she loved her old glassware and dishes. She was a very generous person, always looking for ways to help people.
Anyone who knew her knew she was well dressed with hair and make-up. She passed that down to her daughters. She was never shy to tell them to put on some mascara and lipstick. When people would tell her she looked good during treatment, she would say “looks were never my problem.”
She understood that the “Good Things” in life are not things.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Burkeen and the dedicated team of nurses and specialists at the Baptist Health Hardin Cancer Center.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four siblings, Gladys (Bobby) Robinson, Johnny (Sudie) Jackson, Shirley Marcum and Theodore (Teddy) Huff; and several in-laws, Martin and Marguerite Bowling, Barbara Huff, Richard Marsee, Roger McCormick and Bruce Tucker.
She is survived by her husband, John Carroll Bowling; three daughters, Melanie Bowling (Jamie Nalley) of Maine, Brandy Allen of Florida, and Elizabeth (Matt) Dessuit of North Carolina; one son, Andrew (Courtney) Bowling of Elizabethtown; six sisters, Bettye McCormick, Lois (Gary) Miller, Ada Tucker, Ginny (Stephen) Taylor, Kimberly Jo (Frank) Meredith and Stacy Parnell; two brothers, Phillip (Pam) Huff and Sonny Huff; one sister-in-law, Lois Ford; her Bowling brothers and sisters in law; 10 grandchildren, Grant (Khulan), Madison, Chloe, Savanah (Chance), Dylan (Shelby), Hunter, Aidan, Mia, Maverick and Declan; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and supportive friends.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2026, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, with the Rev. Scott Wimsett officiating. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2026, and 8-11 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Joseph L. Greenwell Funeral Home in New Haven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Catherine Cemetery or the New Haven Bereavement Group.
The Joseph L. Greenwell Funeral Home in New Haven is in charge of arrangements.
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