Bowlin, Ralph T., age 91, passed away on November 7, 2009, in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Bowlin was born September 5, 1918, in Ashville, Alabama to Burrell and Neely Bowlin. They moved to Gate City, Alabama where Ralph became a member of the Gate City Baptist Church. he attended Woodlawn High School. He served his country during World War II in New Guinea, and was honoeably discharged. He then attended East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, Texas, followed by seminary at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Ralph married Betty Jean Thedford of Tyler, Texas in 1946 and they both joined the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board and were sent to Rhodesia, Africa as Baptist Miissionaries in 1950. During their tenure in Africa, Ralph and Betty lead many people to come to know the love of Jesus Christ. They retired from the mission field after 35 years of service in 1984. ralph then went on to Pastor several churches in and around Nacogdoches, Texas. He retired from the Pastorate in about 1998. Ralph is survived by Betty Bowlin of Tyler, Texas; his son, Dan Bowlin of Little Rock, Arkanas; his daughter, Treesa Wittmann of Daphne, Alabama; his sister, Betty Faulkner; his sister in law, Jean Bowlin, and sister in law, Jolind Bowlin; his granddaughter, Ashley O'Meara; his grandson, Justin Mitchell Davis; his grandson, Pvt Matthew Davis; his granddaughter, Kristen Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mothre, Burrell and Neely Bowlin; his brother, Tom Bowlin; his brother, Russell Bowlin; his brother, Oscar Bowlin; and his sister, Faye Everett. The family will receive friends at Valhalla Funeral Home Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 9:30 - 10:30 am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with burial at Forest Hill Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.