It is said that there are words in the English vocabulary that are more solemn than all of the others. They are Life, Death and Eternity. Life is more solemn than death; to live is more serious than to die. The object of Christ's death was life. A Christian's death gives them a more abundant life. Death is a joyful messenger of peace whose kind hand opens to the weary pilgrim the gate of immortality and lets the soul go free.
The life of Lonnie Murray Bowman was one of love and devotion to God, family and his fellow man. He was the fourth of ten children born to the parentage of Lonnie and Pearlie Bowman, on September 10, 1936 in Athens, Texas. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, brother Col. Thomas Bowman, and sisters: Inez Denby, Robbye Harris and Frankie Jean Kirkwood.
Lonnie's formal education was received at Fisher High School in Athens, Texas where he graduated in 1956 as Valedictorian of his class. Lonnie received his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) from Prairie View A&M University in 1960. He attended University of Houston and Texas Southern University where he received his Masters Degree in 1962.
Lonnie was employed by IBM from 1966, as a Design Engineer and was a Translator when he retired in 1996. Prior to IBM, Lonnie was employed as a Printer and Teacher in Houston, Texas.
Lonnie united in Christ at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Athens, Texas at a very young age. Lonnie’s Christian life is one to be applauded. He was a faithful, dedicated, loyal and humble servant at Anderson Mills Baptist Church since 1980 and served faithfully in the Prayer Garden, Choir, Usher Board, Sunday School and the Sun Shiners. His perpetual care of the Church Prayer Garden exemplified his love for his church, community and Christ.
Lonnie lived his life to the fullest and to know him was to instantly love him. What a remarkable life he led. He loved his wife of 57 years: Helen Laverne Ratcliff Bowman. Lonnie leaves a legacy that will remain in the hearts and lives of all he touched. He was well known for his love of family.
It was on the twenty-eighth day of December in the year two thousand and twenty-one, that Lonnie beheld the radiant light of his Savior’s face, as He beckoned for him to cross over to the other side and lay down his sword and shield to study war no more. This he did as he ran into His safe and loving arms and fell asleep, there to rest until He calls his name on that resurrection day.
Lonnie Murray Bowman leaves to cherish wonderful memories: loving and devoted wife, Helen Bowman; sisters, Dorothy Jo Perry (James), Wanda Ruth Lee, Myra Bowman-Burns (Oliver); and brothers, Clarence Bowman Sr. (Eva) and Clyde Bowman (Barbara), a special nephew Duayne Kelly Sherman and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
