Lealer Bowes

A Tribute to Lealer Maude Smith Bowes Mrs. Lealer Maude Smith Bowes died on Wednesday, May 28, 2008. She knew God as her Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ as her Savior, and the Holy Spirit as her Counselor and Comforter. She knew she was a sojourner on this earth and was ready to go home to Heaven at the age of 91. She looked forward to a new heavenly body that would allow her to walk among the gardens of Heaven. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and companion, Alvest Cassen "Buddy" Bowes. The very special Bible passage which explains that a man and a woman shall leave their parents and become one appropriately describes their marriage of 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. Mrs. Bowes, a native of Rockingham County Reidsville, married her "Buddy" on Thanksgiving Day in 1939. They later moved to Burlington where Mr. Bowes built a home in 1950 for his sweetheart on Grace Avenue where they lived until death. They soon became members of the nearby Glen Hope Baptist Church which played an important role in their lives. When Mr. Bowes entered the Army Air Corps during WWII, she followed him to Florida and Texas as a military wife making lifelong friendships and staying close to her "Buddy". They returned to Burlington after his discharge and began an active life at church, work, and with wonderful friends in their neighborhood. Mrs. Bowes worked for several years at Tower Hosiery Mills and Stanley Hosiery Mills. This was followed by 16 years of being a homemaker for her family, immersing herself in the lives of her children, church, and home. Her heart's desire was to have two little girls which God granted to her at the ages of 36 and 39 in 1953 and 1956. She loved being a mom and lived this role to its fullest capacity. Her yard became a Mecca for all the neighborhood children and a gathering place for other neighborhood moms to fellowship. Many memories were made by children and adults alike who experienced her love and hospitality. A great lover of flowers, her yard blossomed year round with a profusion of flowers. Equaled only by her vegetable and fruit gardens which, due to her green thumb, provided an abundance not only for her family but neighbors. Mrs. Bowes participated in her daughters' school and church lives serving in many capacities from PTA president to enjoying school trips with her girls. An avid reader, she instilled in them a love of reading that they cherish to this day. She suffered through her daughters music lessons and daily practice but was always the encourager whether it was the piano or a school project. In 1995, the Altrusa Club honored Mrs. Bowes as Mother of the Year. She was also asked to be the Grand Marshall of that years Christmas Parade. She served in many, many capacities at her beloved church, Glen Hope Baptist. Team teaching with her husband, directing the "Sunbeam" group for grade school children, leading in Vacation Bible School in the summers, once again serving as a trip chaperone for the youth group. She was a member of the Gold Star Class during her retirement years and held various positions in the class. Her Sunday School members were among her dearest friends. Her greatest joys at Glen Hope were initiating the making of a Chrismon Tree where each church family made an Chrismon to be hung on the Sanctuary Tree. This was later followed by her planning and directing The Hanging of the Greens Service. When a new Minister of Music and his wife joined Glen Hope another of her dreams for her church was realized by the making of Sanctuary Banners to glorify God and add a beautiful element to worship and special services. One pastor at Glen Hope had a heart for a drive-thru nativity and enlisted Mrs. Bowes to head up this team. With many supporters, a most unusual nativity emerged with life-like sheep and camels, a host of singing angels, a true depiction of the birth of Christ featuring church members in many roles. As people drove through, comments were often heard such as "Did they get those camels from the zoo?" Where did the donkey and field of sheep come from?" So life like was the recreation, that people came year after year to see this event. Mrs. Bowes participated in the Homemakers Extension Club of Alamance County, She was a member of the Boone Home Extension Club where precious friendships were formed for a lifetime. Her insatiable desire for knowledge led her to take classes offered by the Extension Club, Elon College, and other resources. The Boone Home Extension Club later became the Boone Friendship Club as its members aged. After being a homemaker for 16 years, her husband encouraged her to open a craft shop after having done crafts in their basement for years teaching family and friends who learned of her skills by word of mouth. She opened the Bowes Hodge-Podge Craft Shop in 1969 first being located on Broad St. and then moving to Anthony St.. Once again many new friendships were formed through her business. She retired after 10 years of teaching Decoupage, tole' painting, and other crafts at her shop and through programs offered by ACC. Mrs. Bowes was born to James Hezekiah Smith and Rosa Hyler Smith on February 4th 1917. A family of 12 children, she is survived by her youngest sister, Lula Smith of Reidsville, an older brother, Clemmon "Cement" Smith of Reidsville, and two precious sister-in laws, Louise Carter Smith of Reidsville, and Polly Bowes Hubbard of Haw River. She was preceded in death by: her parents, James & Rosa Smith, and sisters and brothers Mrs. Mary Smith Howerton, Mrs. Lottie Smith Howerton, Mrs. Sallie Smith Jacobs, Mrs. Ruth Smith Page, Mrs. Dora Smith Ford , Mrs. Emma S. Smith, Mr. Raymond Smith, Mr. James Smith, and Mr. Robert Oaks Smith. She has many beloved nieces and nephews about whom she cared deeply. The family would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to Mrs. Bowes friend, companion, and caregiver, Shirley Rudd of Haw River who cared for both Mr. and Mrs. Bowes for more than two years. Two other very special caregivers were Bessie Clemmons and Janice Blackwell .They were an invaluable source of help and encouragement, loyalty and love. Thank you Shirley, Bessie, & Janice from the bottom of our hearts. Visitation with the family will be at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory on Friday, May 30th from 6-8 PM. The family will be at the home at 1223 Grace Avenue, Burlington, at other times. The Homegoing-Life Celebration Service will be held at Glen Hope Baptist Church on Saturday, May 31st at 2:00 PM followed by interment at Pine Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request memorials be made to Glen Hope Baptist, 911 North Avenue, Burlington, NC 27217 or Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell at 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215. Mother's life was lived to the fullest. Foremost in her life was her personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then a 68 years best-friends marriage to the love of her life, followed by her love for her daughters whose lives were enriched in every way by her love, creative spirit, and passion for life. This tribute was written with much love and deep respect.