Charles Bowen, Sr.

Charles Edward Bowen, Sr., 73, Gadsden, AL, passed away on Tuesday, August 07, 2018 at UAB Hospital with ESRF and Multiple Myeloma Cancer. His loving wife was by his side.

Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, August 09, 2018, at Highland Cemetery, Piedmont, AL in the Langston plot. Rev. Sammy Hodges, his pastor and friend, has been asked to offer up prayer of thanksgiving for a life well lived. Charles requested no funeral and planned out exactly what he desired. Dansby Heritage Chapel will direct.

Charles loved the Lord God Almighty and served Him since 1979 when he gave his life over to fulfill God’s plan for him. He loved to sing hymns, songs of praise and enjoyed country music. He was active in the choir at Ashville United Methodist Church for the last twelve plus years.

Charles was born in Altoona, AL and his first road trip was riding a train from Altoona to Attalla, AL.

Charles enjoyed watching football, baseball, his great great niece, Kynnedi and his great great nephew, Eli, play ball and attended many of their games. He loved watching Emma, his step-granddaughter do her gymnastics and her brothers: Tyler and Chandler, when they were younger and played soccer and basketball. He especially enjoyed playing with and watching his three sons play softball. He even sponsored “Charlie’s Bandits” softball team and they won several trophies during tournaments.

Charles was always eager to help his neighbors and did everything in his loving way. He was fun, funny, and sincere. He was an excellent “daddy.” He loved his family and enjoyed cooking, camping, eating out with friends and family, fishing with John Wesley and all types of hunting, especially for deer. He liked to just “ride around and get lost on new adventures” especially after getting so sick and weak.

Although he quit school (Emma Sansom High, Class of 1963) and went to work, he was grateful that his employer of 43 years, the City of Gadsden, offered educational opportunities and he earned his GED from the State of Alabama in 1990.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents: Margie Louise Howington Bowen, mother; Acton Bowen, father; Ruby Gaynell Bowen Staton, sister; Acton Lamar Bowen, brother; Dorothy, sister; Mary Elizabeth, sister; two unborn children; his first wife, Josephine “Jo” Bryant Haynie; and members of the Bryant and Langston families, and many wonderful “fur babies.”

He is survived by his second wife of almost 35 years, Wanda Langston Bowen; his sons: Charles Edward Bowen, Jr. and his family; John Wesley Bowen; Louis Dixon Bush (wife Stacie Leane Ogle Bush, grandsons: Tyler Louis Bush, Chandler Lee Bush; Granddaughter: Emma Leane Bush). Honorable mention: Courtney McKillop and Elizabeth Herlihy.

He is also survived by his siblings: Sybil Louise Bowen Radford, sister; Earl Wayne Bowen, brother; sisters: Janet Dianne Bowen Steeley; Sharon Ann Bowen; and their families; his wife’s siblings: Gordon Stanley Langston; Mary Louise Langston Sitz; and their families including numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, Church friends/family; sister-in-laws and brother-in laws, nieces and nephews from the Bowen family, Bryant family and Langston family.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for his marker. The family wishes to thank everyone for their many lovingkindnesses, prayers, friendship, cards, etc.

Dansby Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Bowen family.