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Earl Fletcher Bowden

ReflectionsLife’s Reflections

Earl Fletcher Bowden was born on February 7, 1946, in Memphis, Tennessee to the union of the late Earl Sr. and Katherine Bowden. He was the firstborn from this marriage of five children.

He was a graduate of Melrose High School Golden Wildcats.

Earl was known to his family as a detailed storyteller that coined him the “Family Historian.” He was a jack of all trades who could fix anything and a great cook. Many of the women in the family got their desire to cook from Uncle Earl. He was a man of few words, but a man of great wisdom that he shared with many. The family was Earl’s primary focus. He was a great dad and granddad, a devoted brother, and uncle to all, whether family or not.

He was an active and faithful member of Temple Cathedral Holiness Church under the leadership of Pastor Linton B. Patterson, where he was recently appointed to the position of deacon. He departed his life on September 18, 2020, at St. Francis Hospital.

Earl was a devoted worker of 20+ years to A-Team Service Inc. until his time of death.

He was preceded in death by his sister Kathy “Chris” Bowden, son Anthony “Tony” Bowden, and grandson Eric Gray.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory a son Alfred (Linda) Bowden of Baltimore, Maryland; three daughters Sheryl (Leon) Wright, Alicia (Sam) Crawford, and Terrika Kilpatrick, all of Memphis, Tennessee; ten grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren; two sisters Shirley (Walter) Pruitt and Jo Ann Bowden both of Memphis, Tennessee; one brother Gregory Bowden Sr. of Memphis, Tennessee; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Don’t grieve for me, for now, I’m free, I’m following the path God has chosen for me. I took his hand when I heard him call, turned my back, and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way; I’ve now found peace at the end of the day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seems all too brief, don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief. Lift up your heart and peace to thee; God wanted me now… He set me free.