Charlie Wesley Bowman

Charlie Wesley Bowman, 81, of Bowman Ave., Morganton, NC, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 06, 2006 at Grace Hospital following an extended period of declining health. Born in Old Fort, NC on October 30, 1924, he was the son of the late Joe Elbert Bowman and Lillie Mae Gurley Bowman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Bowman; two sisters, Bea Barrier and Francis Moore Barrier; and infant twin sisters. Charlie served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII. He worked for Oil City Glass Company in Oil City, PA for 15 years, and later retired from Henredon in Morganton after 23 years. He was a faithful member of Zion Baptist Church.

A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Mr. Bowman is survived by his wife, Annie Wiseman Bowman of the home; two sons, Lawrence Bowman and wife, Bonnie, of Santa Rosa, CA, and Allen Bowman and wife, Beverly, of Marion, NC; two daughters, Debbie Biddix and husband, Ted, of Marion, and Phyllis Gragg and husband, Donnie, of Morganton; two brothers, Allen Bowman of Vero Beach, FL and Joe Bowman of Linville, NC; four sisters, Dorothy Cornette of Marietta, OH, Emaline Tripp of OR, Dora Deardoff of OR, and Alice Semon of Piedmont, SC; thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at Zion Baptist Church with Rev. David Orders officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with graveside rites to be conducted by the Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the funeral. At other times the family will be at the home, 2841 Bowman Avenue, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.