Funeral Information: Time: 11:00 am Date: Monday, January 12, 2015 Place: Union Baptist Church, Bamberg, SC Burial Location: Bamberg Memory Gardens, Bamberg, SC **Mrs. Dowling will be placed in the sanctuary of the church one hour before the service. Viewing for the public will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2015 from 12:00 noon- 3:00 pm at the funeral home. A wake will be held at 5:00 pm at Orange Grove United Methodist Church, Bamberg, SC. ~Life Reflections~ Lena M. White Dowling was born to the late Rev. Henry White Sr. and Lillie Mae White on July 30, 1935 in Sumter County, South Carolina. She was the oldest of five children. Lena attended public schools in both Sumter and Orangeburg County, graduating from Wilkinson High School. She furthered her education and received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She later went on to receive her Master's Degree in Special Education from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. Lena began her professional teaching career at Richard Carroll Elementary School in Bamberg, SC from 1957 - 1960. Lena was a passionate and inspirational educator, teaching special needs children at Nassau BOCES in Long Island, New York. She taught in the BOCES school system for 30 years. Lena was a true champion of education with not only her students, but also for her children and grandchildren. Lena enjoyed staying active during her retirement years; being a member of the Bamberg Family and Community Leaders, being a member of the Bamberg African American Genealogical Society, working with the Voter's Registration, serving as a life-time member of the NAACP, attending storyteller conventions, working as a care giver, being a health care advocate and traveling throughout the country with her husband, Eugene. Lena is preceded in death by one brother, Henry White, Jr. and one son-in-law, Ronald. Lena is survived by her husband of 54 years, Eugene; three daughters, one son and five grandchildren: Gelene (William) Graham, Westbury, NY; Sheryl , Midlothian, VA; Christopher, Forest Hills, NY; Donna, Richmond Hill, NY; Christopher, Lauryn, Briana, Zaria and Adira; two sisters and one brother: Celestine Parker, Columbia, SC; Daniel White (Lurlene), Lakeview, NY; Lillie Mae White Payton, Clearwater, FL; and a host of loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many additional relatives and friends. Friends may call at the residence and at the funeral home.