Clarence Hampton Bowman, 78, passed away at Hospice of Davidson County on October 1, 2024, with loved ones at his side, including JoAnn, his beloved wife of 41 years. Mr. Bowman was born September 1, 1946, in Patrick County, Virginia, where he lived until he joined the United States Army. As a young man, Mr. Bowman was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, where he proudly served his country as a vehicle repairman. After his term of service ended, Mr. Bowman returned to Virginia and began his career as a long-haul, cross-country truck driver.
On December 2, 1982, while in Pico Rivera, California, for work, Clarence met his future wife, JoAnn. It was love at first sight, and Clarence proposed in January 1983. After they married, Clarence and JoAnn drove as a team for many years, earning awards for safety and professional service as they traveled across the country together, until Clarence retired in 2005.
In addition to his career, Mr. Bowman felt called to serve the Lord as a Primitive Baptist Elder. Mr. Bowman was a devoted Christian and servant leader. Over many years, Mr. Bowman humbly served in this role for the congregations of the associations that he served. Prior to his death, Mr. Bowman pastored his home church of Big Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Westfield, NC, and also served as an Elder for the first weekend service at Buffalo Primitive Baptist Church in Sandy Ridge, NC.
In addition to being a devoted husband to JoAnn and an Elder of his associations, Mr. Bowman was a beloved and honored father, stepfather, grandfather and great-grandfather. Clarence, or Clay as he was known to friends and family, was a kind and thoughtful man with a generous spirit and a devoted friend and mentor to many people during his life. During his final days, many people reached out to his family to share the different ways Clarence impacted their lives and helped them to build their relationship with God. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
Mr. Bowman is survived by his wife, JoAnn of Lexington; children Raymond Bowman (Becca) of Eagle River, AK, Barbara Bowman of Fayetteville, NC, Elaine Bartee (Robbie) of Dry Fork, VA and Carmela Warfield (Jason) of Anchorage, AK; stepchildren Armando Jimenez (Keely) of Tyro, NC, Marta Parker of Salisbury, NC and Teal Cardon (Jerome) of DeSoto, TX; fifteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and so many friends.
Mr. Bowman was preceded in death by his father, Hampton Bowman; mother, Mattie Bowman; mother-in-law, Georgia Hartness; brothers Charles (Hoss) Bowman and Wayne (Skip) Bowman; and stepson, Rick Estrada.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 12 at 1:00pm at Davidson Funeral Home at 301 N. Main Street in Lexington, followed by a chapel service led by Elder Rodney Marshall and Elder Dan Abbott. A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Saturday, October 12 at Forest Hill Memorial Park in Lexington. Mr. Bowman’s grandsons Markus Bartee, Jordan Redd, Jake Parker, Chance Bartee, Jason Warfield II, and John Warfield will serve as pallbearers.
For those that prefer, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mr. Bowman’s home church located in Westfield, NC, sent via USPS mail to: Big Creek Primitive Baptist Church, c/o JoAnn Bowman, Treasurer, 2086 Greensboro St. Ext., Lexington, NC 27295
Condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net
