Born in Timbuktu,
Mali, West Africa on April 2, 1935 to CMA Missionaries Floyd and Dora Bowman, Lowell
spent his early years of life and education on the mission field of Africa with
his parents and three brothers. He returned to the United States to a boarding
school for Missionary Kids in Zellwood, Florida for middle school and high
school. Then before going on to graduate from Nyack College, Nyack, New York,
Lowell was drafted and served in the United States Army.
After
college, Lowell returned to the mission field in Mali where he served as the
Administrator for Medical clinics and did itinerate preaching, although he
never felt the call to be a preacher.
After his
missionary service in Africa, Lowell’s love for missions continued to burn
within him. He worked in several secular
positions stateside, and then became a Project Director managing a refugee camp
in the Philippines for two and a half years.
Everywhere
Lowell served, he left an indelible mark on the people around him. Upon his
return to the U.S., Lowell served the Lord wholeheartedly in the local
church. He met and married his devoted
wife, Ruby, in 1997. When they retired, they served for one year at the Mercy
Ships International headquarters near Tyler, Texas managing the guest house and
coffee shop. He humbly used his gardening expertise to beautify the campus, digging
solid red clay and planting rose bushes, painting the iconic anchor and
mentoring the young baristas who worked there.
Together
Lowell and Ruby shared the gospel on short term mission trips to Kenya (built a
church), Honduras (trekked thru mountain villages handing out solar powered
radios preset to Christian stations), Dominican Republic (teaching locals how
to build rabbit cages and raise rabbits for food), Manila (counselors at million-person
evangelistic crusade) and partnered with a South Carolina church to conduct block
parties in order to share the gospel in underprivileged communities.
Lowell
leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Ruby Miller Bowman; daughters who adored
their “bonus-dad” and their husbands, Beth Nicholson Harris (Jay) and Allison
Nicholson Robinson (Dennis), of Orlando; grandchildren to whom he was “Lolo”,
Adam Bennett, Jessica Robinson, Nicholas Robinson, and Maxon Harris (Michelle);
and three great-grandchildren. He is
also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Roland and Ruth Bowman, and sister-in-law,
Sandy Bowman, all of Deland; nieces and nephews, Rindi Bowman, Tami Fritz, Joy
Bowman, Renee Phillips, Russ Bowman, Randy Bowman, Rachelle Bowman, three
great-nephews and four great-nieces.
In
addition to his parents, Lowell was preceded in death by brothers, Loyal and
Harold Bowman, and niece, Pamela Bowman Collier.
A
Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 1 p.m. at
First Baptist Church Orlando – Henry Chapel, with a reception to follow at
Lakeshore Landings clubhouse. Services
will also be live-streamed.
In lieu of
flowers, the family asks that honorary donations be made to Madagascar
Missions-for Lowell Bowman c/o First Baptist Orlando, 3000 S. John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32805. Donations may also be made online at https://www.firstorlando.com/give -
please designate your gift as “Madagascar-for Lowell Bowman”.
1 comment:
I am so sorry to hear of Lowell’s passing. The legacy he leaves behind will go on for generations, all over the world. I remember laughing with him that he really was from Timbuktu! My thoughts and prayers go out to Ruby and the rest of the family, as you navigate through this tough time. Lowell is now walking streets of gold, with his Savior who he adored.
He lived his life well. His fingerprints are all over this world. Praise God!
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