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March 4, 1955 – July 3, 2021

COLUMBUS — Lola passed away peacefully from Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease at home on July 3, 2021. 

Lola lived a full and fun life, and it was her life’s mission to educate children. She began her career as a special education teacher and later spent many years as a pre-school teacher with the Asheville Jewish Community Center. She was also an active volunteer at the Lake Eden Arts Festival for many years and with the Asheville Jewish Community Center’s pre-school even after her Alzheimer’s made it difficult for her to continue teaching. Lola loved gardening, visiting her local library, being outdoors, reading, sewing when she had the opportunity, and spending time with her friends and family. Lola will be remembered for her kind spirit, sweet smile, gentle soul and amazing sense of humor.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Letitia Kavanaugh Bower and Frederick Hill Bower. 

She is survived by her husband, Richard Wesley Oswald; 3 brothers, Peter Michael Bower and his wife (Mary Schumer Bower), William Patrick Bower and Joseph Hill Bower. She is also survived by 3 children, Jonathan Wesley Oswald, and his wife (Jennifer Kelley Oswald), Jessica Anne Oswald and Jennifer Rose Oswald.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, July 9, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the McFarland Funeral Chapel with a Rosary starting at 7:30 p.m.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 10, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon with Father Jason Christian officiating.

Following the funeral, a gathering for family and friends, lunch will be provided, at the home, 1639 Hayes Road, Columbus.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of Lola to the Alzheimer’s Association so that we can find a cure for this disease.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon, NC