RUTH SHIVER BOWDOIN age 92 of Murfreesboro, TN, died Monday March 22, 2010. Mrs. Bowdoin was born in Chancellor, AL to George and Pinkie Shiver. She attended all grades at Coffee Springs, AL and married her school mate Will Bowdoin. They taught at Coffee Springs School and attended Troy State. WW II made moving necessary but Mrs. Bowdoin continued teaching. War ended as they were stationed in Nashville, TN. They furthered their education at Peabody College before moving to Murfreesboro. Dr. Bowdoin was the first Dean of Education at MTSU and Mrs. Bowdoin served as a Supervisor with Murfreesboro City Schools. In 1950 Ruth was diagnosed with incurable cancer and given six months to live. While being treated at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York she had a wonderful unexpected visitor, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. After visiting and prayer, he asked what she intended to do with her life after treatment. Being a strong Christian and devoted teacher, her answer was teaching is the love of my life . After Dr. Peale left, she prayed a difficult prayer to God, not necessarily to make her well but, What can I do to further your Kingdom? After six months she was back in the classroom. Mrs. Bowdoin developed The Classroom on Wheels program for at risk preschoolers. The bus traveled twice each week from one housing area to another and Mrs. Bowdoin and her staff provided inspiring experiences to help the children prepare for big school . A parenting program was also provided. The Bowdoin Method as it became known was well received among educators and is currently implemented in numerous states, countries and has been translated into several languages. Mrs. Bowdoin received many honors during her life time. She was honored at the White House in 1995 by President Bill Clinton, was the first inductee into the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame and in 2007 Bellwood Elementary School was renamed Bellwood Bowdoin Preschool in her honor. Mrs. Bowdoin was preceded in death by her parents George and Pinkie Shiver, her husband Dr. Will Bowdoin, and her brothers Huey Shiver and Dewitt Shiver. Survivors include: sisters-in-law; Rose Austin Shiver of Chancellor, AL, and Seroba Bowdoin Marsh of Enterprise, AL, nieces, nephews and many close friends and caregivers. Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Friday at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with Dr. Eugene Cotey and Dr. Michael Smith officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM Friday. Memorials in memory of Mrs. Bowdoin may be made to the Will and Ruth Bowdoin Scholarship fund at MTSU or Murfreesboro City Schools preschool program. Pallbearers will be Dr. Ralph White, Dr. Sam Ingram, Michael Quinn, Dr. Mark Smotherman, Steve Shiver, Jack Shiver, Steve Ruckart, Elijah Morrell, Allen Morrell, Adam Morgan, Parker Quinn, Ian Quinn, Dr. Graden Kirksey and James Jernigan. WOODFIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL. 893-5151. www.woodfinchapel.com