Bernice Wowra

Bernice (Momchilov) Wowra, child of God, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2014, at the age of 91. Born to Walter and Elizabeth Colditz in Akron, Ohio, Bernice was raised by her aunt, Martha Belchambers, and husband Harry after the deaths of her parents. She is survived by daughter Cindy Momchilov, granddaughter Lauren Carrigan, son-in-law Wayne Waggoner and cherished friend Raymond Fish.
An excellent student, Bernice loved numbers and hated Latin. At South High School in Akron, Bernice briefly dated classmate Ara Parseghian who later became a renowned football coach.
After WWII ended, Bernice wed her sweetheart, Lt. Perry Momchilov, a decorated USAF pilot and hometown hero who passed away in 1964 after suffering a heart attack while at the controls of a corporate plane.
Beautiful inside and out with an excellent sense of humor, Bernice enjoyed bowling, playing bridge and dancing to big band music. She worked as a keypunch operator, an interior decorator and a buyer for the women's better dress department at Polsky's, an Akron department store. She resigned so that Cindy could attend the neighborhood elementary school and eat lunch at home every day. A loving mother and grandmother, Bernice was an excellent cook and baked wonderful pies, cookies, strudel and cakes from scratch.
In 1987, Bernice and her second husband, Arthur Wowra, moved from Ohio to Little Rock to be near Lauren as she grew up, caring for her while Cindy worked. A skilled and tenacious bookkeeper, Bernice helped Cindy in her business for many years. Dr. Wowra passed away in 1999. He is survived by sons Dennis and Daniel, and daughter Denise Engle.
Bernice's family is very grateful to the staff at Presbyterian Village for the patient and loving care they gave her. Thanks also to the staff of Hospice Home Care for their kindness and compassion.
A memorial service will take place on Monday, September 15th at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 5124 Hillcrest St. at Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, Arkansas, where she was an active member until her illness. She will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Akron, Ohio.