Major Harley Bowes

Major Harley Bowes, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Alamance County and was the son of the late Joseph Calvin and Mozelle Blackwood Bowes. Major was the beloved husband of 61 years to his wife, Mary “Bobbie” Smith Bowes.

Beginning as a young man in the shadows of the textile mills in Haw River, Major always wanted to manage a manufacturing operation. He earned his B.S. degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also attended executive education programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Major joined Lorillard Tobacco Company in 1963 and was the first management trainee at the Greensboro Facility. Major rose through the ranks becoming Director of Manufacturing in 1991 and Vice President of Manufacturing in 1997. Major also offered his time and talents to many community activities including service to the Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce as Chairman of the Chamber’s Business and Community Forum. He was instrumental in the inauguration of Junior Achievement into the City of Greensboro and in 1992 he was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Leaders Hall of Fame. Major was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine in August of 1984, one of our state’s most prestigious awards, conferred by the Governor of North Carolina for exemplary service to the state. In 2002, Major retired from Lorillard as Vice President of Manufacturing after 40 years of service.

Major was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Haw River where he faithfully served as a deacon, taught Sunday School, and led various church committees.

Left to cherish Major’s memory are his wife, Bobbie; daughter, Lori Bowes Hassell and her husband, Ron; son, Michael Robert Bowes and his wife, Nanda, and the light of Major’s life, his grandson, Thomas Robert Bowes. ‘Grandpa’ will be deeply missed at Thomas’ sporting events where he was always a fixture in the stands.

A service to celebrate Major’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Haw River with interment to follow in Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 PM on Wednesday, January 8 at Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory in Burlington.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Haw River, 508 E. Main St., Haw River, NC 27258.