Alvest Bowes

Mr. "Buddy" Bowes died at 3:15 Friday, February 29, 2008 at his home with his family. He knew God as His Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ as his Savior, and the Holy Spirit as his Counselor and Comforter. He knew he was a sojourner of this earth and looked forward at the age of 91 of going home to heaven. Recently, his wife said to him, "Buddy, Let's just go home" and his precious reply was "I'm just sitting here trying to dream about it." He is survived by his lifelong sweetheart and wife, Lealer Smith Bowes. They were married on Thanksgiving Day in 1939. These two truly became one for 68 years. They have two daughters, LaJune Bowes Moore and son-in-law, Emmit Moore of Graham; LaRae Bowes Bolick and son-in-law Vernon Davis "Dave" Bolick of Burlington; two grandsons, Brandon Davis Bolick and Cassen Ross Bolick of Wilmington. Mr. Bowes originally from Person County, later moved to Reidsville where he met his future wife. After marrying, the couple moved to Burlington. Entering the Army Air Corp, he became a Flight Engineer and Mechanic stationed in both Fort Myers, Florida and Laredo, Texas. He flew with a crew who trained new pilot recruits to shoot at enemy planes by shooting at a banner pulled by Mr. Bowes' plane. His wife was able to live with him in Florida and Texas where they made life-long friends. Returning to Burlington, Mr. Bowes was employed by Tower Hosiery Mills where he was a Supervisor and Fixer for 40 years. He completed the 11th grade of school which was the highest school grade in the early 1930's. After graduating, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps CCC 1932-1942 in N.C. where he built roads in the Appalachian Mountains at the age of 16. The CCC was an all volunteer corp of 3 million young men. Due to the Depression-era, a stint in the CCC was a living education. Within four months after America entered WWII, 90 % of the CCC men joined the Armed Services and continued their contribution to their country. Mr. Bowes loved to learn and continued his education by obtaining a high school diploma through special evening classes at Williams High School. He then went on over the next decade to obtain degrees at the then Technical Institute of Alamance: Electronics, Heating and Air Conditioning, TV repair, and other trades as well which became not only hobbies but second jobs in the basement of his home. Mr. Bowes received a patent for a device he designed and manufactured in his basement workshop that was used in the hosiery industry. He loved using his skills to help his church, Glen Hope Baptist, by serving on the maintenance committee. He and his wife, Lealer, taught the Two Year Old Sunday School Class for many years where the children could not wait to sit on his lap each Sunday. His big heart shone through his tough exterior. He also served as an Usher and was a life-long Deacon. He was a member of the Gold Star Sunday School Class where he had too many friends to mention in this tribute. His love for God and fellow man was displayed throughout his life in the many unseen and unknown charitable acts to others known only by his family. Mr. Bowes was born to Clem Baswell Bowes and Molly Brann Bowes on December 23, 1916 along with a twin brother, Albert Hassen Bowes deceased. He is survived by his youngest and most beloved sister, Polly Bowes Hubbard and her husband and Buddy's good friend, Mr. Johnny Hubbard. He was preceded in death by: Mrs. Bertha Briggs of Roxboro, Mrs. Maggie Dunevant of Reidsville, Ada Bowes of Reidsville, Mr. Clyde Bowes of Burlington, Mr. M.L. Mellie Bowes of Reidsville and Mr. James Jimmy Bowes of Greensboro. He has many, many nieces and nephews about whom he cared deeply. With special mention of his "unofficially" adopted sons, Benny Bowes of Winston-Salem and David Bowes of Burlington, the sons of Clyde Bowes who died young. He was especially fond of Elizabeth Bowes Bolick, sister of Benny and David. These three were Lealer and Buddy's "Children" before having their own and have remained his children throughout his lifetime. Visitation with the family will be at Lowe Funeral Home on Sunday March 2, 2008 from 2-4 PM. The family will be at the home at 1223 Grace Avenue, Burlington at other times. The Homegoing and Life Celebration Service will be held at Glen Hope Baptist Church on Monday March 3, 2008, at 2:00 PM, followed by interment at Pine Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Glen Hope Baptist Church, 911 North Avenue, Burlington, NC 27217 or the Hospice of Alamance-Caswell; 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215. Mother once gave our Dad the greatest compliment and one that will stay in our hearts forever. After reading her Sunday School lesson to her, she said: "Your father is the only man I know who has truly lived the Ten Commandments." We love you daddy. This tribute was written with great joy and much love.