Bowie, Sr., William T.
1/1/1983
1909-1983 |
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| On August 29, 1909, God breathed the breath of life into the son of the late Rev. Andy Bowie, Sr. and Ada Dotson Bowie, whom they later named William Taft. The place was southern Rapides Parish in the town of Poland, Louisiana. At an early age, he accepted Christ, and began his spiritual walk with Christ at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Magda, Louisiana <before it moved to Alexandria). On December 26, 1928, Rev. Bowie was united in holy wedlock to the former Evolia Joffrion, a bond which lasted fifty-three years. To that union five children were born. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Mrs. Annie Coleman. Rev. Bowie was reared in the home of a Methodist preacher and was greatly influenced by his father's calling. July 16, 1943 was a great day in his life, for it was on this date that he began his Christian ministry. He received his local preacher's license under the pastorate of the late Rev. Charles Walls. The pastorate of this dedicated Christian minister began at St. Mark Methodist Church in Magda, Louisiana, where he served for eleven years. Rev. Bowie also served with dedication in the following churches and communities: St. Mark in Melder, Louisiana; Colfax, Louisiana; Willis J. King in Glenmora, Louisiana; Wesley, Booneville in Bunkie, Louisiana; Calvary and Magnolia in Thibodaux, Louisiana ; Union Chapel and Macedonia in Boyce, Louisiana. During his days as a pastor, Rev. Bowie was a great builder. He was a carpenter, like Jesus, by trade and utilized it to repair and build several churches in the Louisiana Conference. He was extremely proud of the building program that he led and completed on the Calvary-Magnolia Charge in Thibodaux before he retired on June 5, 1980. Following his retirement, District Superintendent William F. Mayo of the Alexandria District needed a pastor for the Union-Macedonia Charge at Boyce, Louisiana. Without hesitation, Rev. Bowie accepted the appointment and still remained active in St. Mark United Methodist Church, Alexandria, where he placed his Charge Conference membership upon retirement under the pastorate of Rev. Roger Lathan in June, 1980. On January 22, 1983, the family friends, former church members of Rev. Bowie, fellow St. Mark church members and ministers from across the Conference and Central Louisiana gathered together at Newman Church to thank God for his life. Rev. Alonzo J. Campbell, Rev. William F. Mayo, Rev. William R.London, Jr., Rev. Herbert Green, Rev. Robert S. Taylor, Rev. G. R. Haughton and Rev. Joseph Celestine participated in the beautiful and inspiring funeral service. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Mrs. Evolia Bowie; four children: William T. Bowie, Jr., and Thelma Joiner of Alexandria, Louisiana; Dorothy Wesley of Chicago, Illinois, and Ruth Andrews of Knoxville, Tennessee; two brothers: Andy Bowie, Jr. of Poland, Louisiana, Okenzie Bowie of Alexandria, Louisiana; seven sisters: Beatrice Walker, Daisy Larry and Virginia Jordan of Alexandria, Louisiana, Lou Ethel Johnson of Poland, Louisiana, Edna Walls of Atlanta, Georgia, Malinda Duckworth and Mae Ella Poe of Fresno, California; three sons-in-law, six brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. |
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| Source: Journal Louisiana Conference UMC 1983, Page 186 - By Alonzo J. Campbell | |
