Martha Renno Bowden

Martha Renno Bowden (nee Bickers), who inspired friends and family alike with her sharp wit, love of traveling and passion for her adopted hometown of San Antonio, died November 4 at the age of 97 of natural causes. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Williams (Skip); two sons, Scott and Paul Renno; and two grandsons,

Zak (Katie) and Andrew (Paige) Williams.

Born April 19, 1926 in Ripley, Tennessee, Martha’s early life was formed from her love of learning and especially history. She earned a scholarship to Athens College in Alabama but dropped out to join the federal civil service corps during World War II where she met her first husband and father of her three

April 19, 1926 - November 4, 2023

children, William Renno. As the wife of an Air

Force officer, Martha was able to travel the world and the U.S.—kickstarting her love of traveling. The couple were stationed in Germany as part of the Occupational Forces and the island of Crete and eventually settled in San Antonio—which became Martha’s home for the rest of her life. She later rejoined the workforce as a civil servant for the U.S. Air Force, where she achieved the rank of GM13. Always important to her, she went back to college after her children grew up and earned her degree from Southwest Texas University in San Marcos while holding a full time job.

Widowed upon the death of William in 1990, Martha married her

second husband Jack Bowden in 1996. The pair belonged to several dancing clubs in the area and were regulars on the local ballroom dancing circuit. Martha’s love of traveling was rekindled upon joining Friendship Force of San Antonio and Friendship Force International when she made numerous trips overseas and hosted many international visitors in her Windcrest home. She was named “Volunteer of the Year” at the organization’s conference in Istanbul, Turkey in 1998.

Always a gracious host and evangelist of San Antonio culture, Martha was involved in several local organizations around town, including the San Antonio Conservation Society, Assistance League of San Antonio, San

Antonio Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the American Society of Military Comptrollers. She volunteered regularly at the McNay Art Museum and was an active member of Universal City Methodist Church.

A memorial service will be held February 21, 2024 at Universal City Methodist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. colonialuniversal.com for the Bowden family.