Raymond Clarence Bowman, Sr, 83, of Woodstock, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
Raymond was born on August 16, 1940, to Joseph Frederick and Hazel Marie Epard Bowman in Maurertown, Virginia. He
graduated from Toms Brook High School in 1958. Raymond grew up in a large family that included eight children. His siblings
were: Harold (Joyce), Chester (Patsy), Johnny, Eva, Earl (Frances), Virginia (Steve), and Sam (Jeanie).
Raymond met Earline when her family moved to Maurertown in 1953. He began pulling her pigtails on the bus. It wasn’t until
July 5, 1963, Raymond married Earline Dorothy Mason. They had five children, RC (Cathy), Byron (Tammy), Evan (Amy), Lydia
(Matt), and Keary (Jennifer). They have 12 grandchildren: Trent, Jade, Kelsey, Destiny, Bonnie, Megan, Dyannie (Brek), Jenna,
Peyton, Corbin, Lily, and Braxton. They have 9 great grandchildren: Jasmine, Chad, Hallie, Logan, Kloe, Emma, Sophia, Lillian,
and Malakai. They took so much pride in their large family and strong marriage.
Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph (1953) and Hazel Bowman (1998), his siblings, Harold (2021), Chester
(2014), Johnny (2016), Eva (1970), Sam (2022), and his granddaughter, Jade Elizabeth Bowman (2020).
Raymond began helping his mother haul livestock at the age of 15. He continued to work for his mother’s business (Bowman’s
Transfer) until the age of 23. After four months at Woodstock Eileen, Raymond knew that farming and hauling livestock was
what fit him better. In November 1963, he began Raymond Bowman Hauling. He could often be found up before the sun
getting ready to take livestock to Baltimore or preparing to mow hay before it got too hot. Raymond made sure he was at the
Winchester Livestock sale every week for almost 60 years. His hard-working mentality made sure the work was done.
Raymond was a member of the Winchester Church of the Nazarene until the Woodstock Church of the Nazarene was built in
1973 when he transferred his membership.
Raymond was a lover of country cookin’ and socializing. Raymond was also a member of the St. Luke Men’s Coffee Club. He
enjoyed catching up with the St. Luke fellas over some sausage biscuits and gravy. He enjoyed church fellowship gatherings and
the Shenandoah County Fair. Raymond knew almost everyone it seemed and was always willing to catch up on life with them.
Raymond enjoyed long road trips for vacation. He traveled most of the United States this way as well as Canada and Mexico.
He managed to navigate the roads with ease each time.
Family Night will be held at Valley Funeral Service on Friday, October 27th from 6-8. His service will be held at Valley Funeral
Service on Saturday, October 28th at 11:00. Burial will follow at Sunset View Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Unit 405, Winchester,
VA 22601.
Pallbearers will be: Sam Heishman, Harry Windle, Cliff Wetzel, Larry Richards, Dennis Showman, Curtis Heltzel - Honorary
Pallbearer - Matt Wright and the St. Luke Breakfast Club
Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com
Arrangements by Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.
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