Update: This event has been postponed to an undetermined later date.
CARROLLTON, MI---City officials and community stakeholders will gather for the official renaming of Sherman Street Park today at 6 p.m. The Voncile Bowen Memorial Park named in honor of the late Voncile Bowen, will be refurbished to include a prayer garden and more. The park is located at 828 Sherman Street.
The petition to change the park’s name was started by community resident, Tina Tolliver, whose parents where the first African American’s to own a store in Carrollton. “I could have made a push to name the park after my parents, but Mother Bowen was an angel. There is no other person in the community that took people into their home and genuinely loved them. She is the reason so many children stayed out of trouble, says Tolliver.”
Known affectionately, as “Mother” Bowen, she opened her doors to families and children in need. She and her husband, Pastor John L. Bowen founded the Lighthouse Church of God in Christ.
Bowen raised 10 children while extending love and support to her grandchildren, one of whom is Phoenix Suns shooting guard, Jason Richardson who practiced basketball and made his first dunk at Sherman Street Park.
A dedication ceremony will take place in July. For more information, contact Kareem Bowen at 989.714.6957.
