Valley Center, Kansas

Dr Mary Elaine (Bowen) Paul , 79, passed away on April 8th, 2019. She was a devoted daughter, wife. mother and grandmother, as well as a retired educator and former salon owner. Mary was born August 3, 1939, in Perry, Oklahoma, to Thurman E. and Mary Etta Glover Bowen. She earned her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University, and a Masters in School Leadership at Kansas State University. Later, she earned her Educational Doctorate at Oregon State University. She was a class-room teacher in Kansas City, Sublette, and Manhattan, Kansas, and in Oregon and California. She was an Elementary Principal in Great Bend, Middle School Principal in Ellsworth / Kanopolis, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Valley Center, Kansas (serving one year as acting Superintendent). Active in school organizations, she was a member of United School Administrators of Kansas (USA), and a Fellow with the Association of Curriculum and Supervision (ASCD); she also earned two lifetime memberships in the Parent Teacher Association. Her lifetime involvement in Masonic organizations included serving as a Worthy Advisor of the Order of Rainbow Girls in Harper, Kansas; Order of the Eastern Star Golden Sheaf Chapter of Great Bend; Grand Guardian Council of the International Order of Job's Daughters of Kansas; Bethel Guardian of Job's Daughters in Great Bend, Grand Bethel Guardian and Grand Guardian for the state of Kansas. She was a charter board member of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Great Bend. She was an avid reader, lifelong learner, and enjoyed calligraphy, crafting, music, and her family. Her grandchildren were everything to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold Paul, and brother, Jack Bowen. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Patricia (Patti) Paul, grandchildren Gracyn and Christian Paul, Valley Center; stepson Michel Paul, Salina; sister, Janet Sue (Robert) Benz, Jackson Hole, Wyoming; sisters-in-law, Patti Morgan, Hemit, California; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Viewing and visitation with family will be 9:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13th, 2019, at Riverlawn Christian Church, 4243 N. Meridian Avenue, Wichita, 67204. Funeral Service will follow at 10:30 a.m. Private family services with inurnment will be at the Stafford Cemetery in Stafford, Kansas at a later date.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Mary's memory to: The Valley Center Education Foundation  (to support grants for teachers)  c/o Nancy Anderson, PO Box 218, Valley Center, KS 67147

Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com