Arvilla Edith Tillett Bowser

Manteo- Arvilla Edith Tillett Bowser was born to the late William Leo Tillett, Sr. and Indiola Scarborough. She was born May 12, 1936 and spent her entire life in Dare County.  She departed this life, at her home, December 31, 2014.

Mrs. Bowser completed her early education in the Dare County School System, graduating from Roanoke School and later attending College of the Albermarle, Manteo, North Carolina. She married the love of her life, Lindsey Bowser, who preceded her in death.  She retired from The National Park Service after many years of employment.  Mrs. Bowser was an avid historian an genealogist who  researched and published a historical book;  Roanoke Island- The Forgotten Colony.

Mrs. Bowser was gentle and kind and showed off these qualities in the community and  her church, Haven Creek Missionary Baptist Church, serving many years as church organist.

“Sissy” as she was lovingly called, was preceded in death by her sibling , William Leo Tillett, Jr.  She leaves to cherish her memory; one brother, Charles Bennett of Chicago, Illinois; two stepbrothers, Johnny Tillett of Raleigh, North Carolina and Michael Tillett of Manteo, North Carolina; devoted nieces and nephews: Jackie Tillett and Andrian “Sweetpea” Tillett of Manteo; Christopher Tillett of Kansas City, Kansas, and  Tyrome (Pamela) Tillett of Brunswick, Georgia.  She also leaves one sister-in-law- Dorothy Tillett and her step-mother, Virginia Tillett of Manteo, North Carolina. A host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins and many friends also mourn her passing.

The funeral will be held Wednesday January 7, 2015 at  2 pm at Haven Creek Missionary Baptist Church.  Pastor Ray Hill will officiate and Pastor Carrie Holmes will be the eulogist. The committal and burial will follow the funeral at Haven Creek Church Cemetery.

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the on-line register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services Inc were entrusted with the arrangements.