Bowden, Elbert R.

Wakefield, VA

Elbert Richard Bowden, 82, peacefully passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2008, at his home in Wakefield. Born August 26, 1925 in Zuni, he was the son of the late Solomon Richard and Grace Pittman Bowden. Mr. Bowden was a retired truck driver.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte Freeman Bowden; his daughter, Deborah B. Bartley and her husband Robert of Wakefield; four sons, Richard F. Bowden, Walter “Dallas” Bowden and his wife Sandy, and Robert P. Bowden, all of Wakefield, and David L. Bowden and Tracy Dorman of Chesapeake; a brother, Andrew A. Bowden and his wife Kay of Smithfield; a sister-in-law, Mary Bowden, of Smithfield; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Virginia Wuska and Alice Sheffield, and two brothers, Harold Dean Bowden and Daniel Bowden.

Mr. Bowden served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the European Theatre. He was a member of the Virginia Tractor Pullers’ Association, Wakefield Sportsmen’s Club, and Bent Barrel Hunt Club and was a past member of Tucker Swamp Hunt Club.

A graveside service with military rites will be held Monday, June 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in Wakefield Cemetery with Rev. Jim Kerr officiating. The family will receive friends at the residence. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department, 155 Fleetwood Ave., Wakefield, Virginia 23888 or the Waverly Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 318, Waverly, Virginia 23890. Purviance Chapel, J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Wakefield, is handling arrangements for the family. Condolences may be posted on their web site, www.jtmorriss.com