Richard Manuel Bowman,Sr.

Richard Manuel Bowman, 86, departed this life Thursday, October 30, 2014. Born February 12, 1928, he was the fourth son of the late Joseph Spencer and Carrie Lewis Bowman. He also was predeceased by his brothers John F., Joseph S., Ottoway C. and Charles F. Bowman. Richard graduated from Ruthville High School June 1945 and served honorably in the United States Army from June 1945 to February 1947. He retired from federal employment at U.S. Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, VA in January 1983. He joined Little Elam Baptist Church September 1949 and has served as Deacon, Trustee, Treasurer, Moderator, and Adult Sunday School Teacher, as well as a member of the Christian Education and Budget & Finance Ministries. Richard worked tirelessly in the community having served as member and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Charles City County; Golden Heritage Member of Charles City County NAACP; as well as a member of: Charles City County Civic League, American Legion Post #61, Charles City Progressive Lodge #297 Free and Accepted Masons, Ruthville High School Alumni Association and the Charles City Center for Local History Advisory Commission. He also has served as Moderator of the Dover Baptist Association, member of the Board of Trustees, Dover Association and member of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. His real passion was history and genealogy, which earned him the unofficial title of “Local Historian.” He spent many hours poring over court records and other documents to find the ancestors of anyone who asked him and then shared his personal memories of people and events long forgotten by others. His personal family history was recited to all on a regular basis. Richard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marian Wallace Bowman; seven children: Daryl B. Robertson (Melvin), Sandra B. Johnson (Linwood), Richard M. Bowman, Jr. (Sherry), Mildred B. Adkins (Chauncey), Rhonda B. Gardner (Charles), Shirlette B. Squire (Rayfield) and Rowena M. Bowman; eight grandchildren: Michelle Stidwell (Andrew), Dionne Robertson, Damon Johnson (Toni), Morgan Johnson, Candace Bowman, Matthew Robertson, Jordan Bowman and Kari Squire; three great-grandchildren: Alexus Johnson, Andrew Stidwell III, and Mikayla Stidwell; sister: Anna Bernice Bowman; five sisters-in-law: Lutitia W. Jones, Lorene Jones-Bell, Gloria W. Jones, Carol W. Jones and Ruby M. Bowman; brother-in-law, Howard A. Wallace; niece “like a daughter”, Angela C. Bowman, niece Deborah B. Gray; many other devoted nieces and nephews; several cousins, including devoted first cousin B. Wardell Bowman, Sr. and countless friends. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Tributes

Richard Manuel Bowman,Sr.

February 12, 1928 - October 30, 2014