James Truman Fowler was born May 26, 1950 in Wake Forest, NC to the late James and Minnie Fowler. He departed this life on December 3, 2018. He was a rambunctious little tike who loved to play outside and occasionally get into mischief with his siblings. Some would say that he was the one who always got them in trouble. Growing up, he would help his family by farming, picking cotton, or anything that would help bring in income. He was always jolly. The life of the party, telling jokes, doing impersonations, or anything that would just make people happy, laugh, and lift their spirits. He was able to play the harmonica, guitar, and banjo without having any lessons, and boy could he sing!! He loved singing songs like, “Remind Me, Dear Lord” and R&B classics like “Lady”. He was affectionally known as “Buster”.
He was educated at Dubois High School in Wake Forest, NC. Then he decided he was “through with North Carolina” and he went to Washington, D.C. Through his journeys to find himself, he met his first wife, Joanne Aylor. Although the relationship did not last, he was given the greatest gift of becoming a father to his first child. He later met his wife of 41 years, Evelyn Folger. At this point, he knew he was on top of the world and in love!! No one could tell him anything!! They were married January 7, 1977 in Maryland. Of this union, three children were born.
He worked various jobs in landscaping and at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center with livestock. The cows loved him so much that one cow, picked him up with her head playing with him. What a surprise to him that she lifted him far into the air. That was a far cry from the mule that had kicked him into the air when he was a child!
He was proceeded in death by his daughter Avis Rochelle Aylor, his parents James and Minnie Fowler, three sisters Ada Jean Fowler, Carolyn Sandford Conyers, and Patricia Ann Graves, and two brothers Frank Leon Conyers, and Cealous McCoy Conyers.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Evelyn; three children: James Truman Fowler Jr. (Christina), Janelle Panizari (James), and Joy Fowler; five grandchildren: Courtney, Hailey, James “L.J.”, Anthony, and Noah; three sisters Mildred Dewberry (Harvey), Lois High (George), and Hattie Stella Johnson (Terry); and one brother Johnny Fowler; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.