Louis Walter Bowman

Louis Walter Bowman, age 81, has found peace and rest in the arms of our Savior.  For the last few years he was a resident at Central Continuing Care, where he passed away May 29th, 2023, with his son Andy and granddaughter Kasey holding his hands.  Born January 9th, 1942, Louis was the third son of Acy and Savadie Bowman in the Willis Gap area of Patrick County.  He grew up working on the family farm and in the orchard where he developed his strong work ethic and love of family.  Louis was a 1962 graduate of Blue Ridge High School.  He later retired from Hanes Brands, formerly known as Adams-Millis, as a knitting machine fixer after 40 years of service.  Upon retirement, Louis told everyone that he was going to be a full-time grandpa; however, he had already gained that title on April 26th, 1996, and again on December 18th, 2002, when the loves of his life were born.  Papa was a faithful member of Fancy Gap Baptist Church for over 40 years and was the gentle guide that led his family to be Saved and follow in his footsteps to serve the Lord.  He was previously a member at Doe Run Baptist Church.  He was a quiet, soft spoken, Christian man who lived his testimony daily in the way he spoke to and treated others.  To say that Papa will be missed cannot describe the hole in our hearts, though we celebrate knowing that his body has been fully healed.  Our comfort comes from the Lord in the knowledge and promise of seeing him again in Heaven.  Mourning his passing are his dedicated, devoted, and loving family; son and friend Andy Wayne Bowman, his best friend and granddaughter Kasey Nicole Bowman, his buddy and grandson Corey Nicolas Bowman, and his daughter-in-law Tammy Denise Smith Bowman who he treated as his own daughter.  He reunited in Heaven with his parents Acy and Savadie Bowman, as well as his brothers James and Woodrow Bowman.  A funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Fancy Gap Baptist Church with service conducted by Rev. Dwight Sechrist.  The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6:00 -8:00 PM at the church.  The family would like to extend thanks to his caretakers and special friends at Central Continuing Care as well as Mountain Valley Hospice.  2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”.