Jessie Hackler

Jessie Lynn Bowman Hackler passed from this life and into the arms of Jesus on the evening

of November 9, 2024, surrounded by love. She was 99 ½ years young. She joined her beloved

husband of 64 years, Raymond Hackler, who preceeded her in death. She is survived by her

two children, Kathy Hackler Cooper and Stephen Hackler, both of Little Rock, brother,Lawrence

Bowman (Shirley) of Oklahoma, nieces Reida Lynn Szewc (George) of Kansas City, Kansas and

Teresa Hackler Phillips (Grisham) of Benton; Kay Hackler Barfield (Frank of Jacksonville,

)Sharon Parker (Chris) of Louisiana, Wanda Womack (Neal) of Sheridan, Michelle Lahue of

Oklahoma, Shelia Boggs(Joe) of New Jersey, nephews Michael Wayne Bowman (Tammy) of

Louisiana, Bob Bowman(Pam) of Vilonia, Bo Bowman(Juanita) of North Little Rock, Martin

Bowman of Oklahoma and many great nieces and nephews. She is preceeded in death by her

beloved husband, Raymond Hackler, her parents, George and Mattie Lee Bowman, her three

sisters, Zenola Watts, Viola Cassity and Loyce Rainey; two brothers, Wayne Bowman of

Louisiana and Quentin Bowman of Jacksonville, her sister-in-law, Helen Hackler Johnson of

Little Rock, nieces, JoAnn Johnson of Little Rock, Marcia Hackler of Memphis, nephews, Butch

Bowman of Jacksonville and Wayne Eugene Bowman of Jacksonville.

Jessie was born in Hermitage, Arkansas on March 27, 1925. Raised on a farm with her three

brothers and three sisters, she excelled in school and was a star basketball player. She also

sang and played guitar with her sisters. Upon graduating from Hermitage High School with

honors, and scoring the highest score on the civil service exam of anyone in three states for the

three previous years, she was recruited to work for the FBI in Washington D. C. After a year,

she came back to Little Rock; climate in D. C. did not agree with her. She met a handsome

young man named Raymond and it was love at first sight for them both. They remained

sweethearts for the remainder of their earthly lives and probably still are, in heaven.

Jessie doted on her family and was a wonderful cook and homemaker. No one could do

cornbread dressing better than Jessie. She was amazing at organization; she could parallel

park in the tiniest space – without power steering! She loved Christmas cooking and

decorating. She loved music and she and Raymond encouraged their two children in their

musical pursuits. Both Kathy and Steve became professional musicians and music teachers. She

was very gifted in math and worked as a bookkeeper for various organizations including PCSSD

and AEA. Everywhere she worked she was loved. She was a member of 2 nd Baptist Church in

Little Rock and was a strong Christian.

She left every place better because she had been there. She will be in our hearts always. A

celebration of her life will be held on her 100 th birthday in the spring.