Carl W. Bowman

Carl Wendell Bowman, 98, of Boones Mill, Virginia passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026. He was born on May 9, 1927 and was the youngest child of Daniel Cleveland Bowman and Bessie Cummings Bowman.

Carl lived most of his life in the foothills of Cahas Mountain. He partnered with his father and brother Raymond on the Bowman farm and shared the farmhouse with his parents and Raymond’s family. While in his twenties, he worked for two years as a dairy tester with the University of Maryland, which was his Alternative Service assignment as a conscientious objector. For many years he sold eggs from the farm, which he delivered in Roanoke to stores and customers in their homes. He and Raymond made many friends through their involvement with the Shorthorn Association, for which Carl served a stint as secretary. He provided care for his mother in her final years.

In 2005, he married his high school classmate Clyde Flora Wood. They enjoyed 17 years together on the Wood farm, watching the sunrise, sharing many happy times traveling, eating out, attending local events, and getting together with neighbors.

Carl was a man of deep Christian faith. He was a faithful lifelong member of the Monte Vista and Bethlehem Church of the Brethren congregations, where he taught Sunday School, served on the Board, and sang in the choir. He was looking forward to heaven.

Carl enjoyed telling jokes, quoting one-liners he heard from relatives and neighbors, and sharing stories about his life experiences. He had a remarkable ability to recall details from long ago about people he met, places he went, foods he ate, and cattle they bought or sold. He was a walking encyclopedia of information about local families. He was an avid reader, with special interests in the Bible, theology, history and politics.

During the last two months of his life, Carl lived at Friendship Richfield, in The Oaks Assisted Living in Salem. He adjusted well to that change and impressed the staff and residents with his kindness and gentle spirit.

Carl leaves behind his nieces who grew up on the farm with him: Judy Abbott (Carsey), Mary Jo Bowman (Frank Brown) and Freda Givens (Philip); along with three generations of extended family members. He was preceded in death by his wife Clyde; his brothers, Herman (Agnes) and Raymond (Jewell); his sisters, Gertrude Prillaman (Melvin) and Mabel Bowman (Forrest); his stepsons, Ronnie Wood and Michael Wood; his nephews, Don Bowman, David Bowman, Richard Bowman, and Wesley Prillaman; and his niece, Linda Prillaman.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1 p.m. Burial at the Bethlehem Church Cemetery, followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to Bethlehem Church of the Brethren, c/o Treasurer, 713 Wildwood Road, Boones Mill, VA 24065 or The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, P.O. Box 11525, Roanoke VA 24022.

Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center of Rocky Mount.