Raymond Bernard Bowman Sr.

Raymond Bernard Bowman Sr. peacefully answered the Master’s call on July 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 5, 1933, to the late Marian Taylor and Fleming Emmanuel Pierce Sr.

At an early age, he confessed Christ as his personal Savior and joined Zion Baptist Church in Lightfoot, Virginia, where he was an active member until his health began to fail. He was educated in the local school system and graduated from Bruton Heights High School in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1952. He married the love of his life, Rosetta Lee Christian, on September 5, 1953. This year, they celebrate seventy amazing years of love and partnership. There were nine children born of their union.

He joined the U.S. Army, where he served for two years before being honorably discharged. He was employed by the. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for twenty-five years as a custodial supervisor. He was also a loyal and well-respected employee of The College of William & Mary for thirty-six years, where he was known as the "Keeper" of the Historic Wren building. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family while always making sure he was there to love, support, and encourage them. 

Raymond was a lover of jazz music and was a skilled harmonica player and saxophonist. While in the military, he learned the complex techniques of tap and was a phenomenal tap dancer. He enjoyed cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. He could often be found enjoying breakfast at Hardee's after his morning visit to the Lightfoot post office. He was a gentle, loving, and honorable man. He will forever live on in the hearts of his family and friends, who will greatly miss him.

He was preceded in death by his brothers; Russell Bowman, George Taylor, Fleming Emmanuel Pierce Jr., and his sisters; Hazel Taylor and Patricia Balou.

He leaves cherished memories with his wife of seventy years, Rosetta Lee Bowman; his children, Bernadette Bowman, Teresa Armstead (Preston), Raymond Bowman Jr. (Tammy), Blaine Bowman, Demetrye Bowman, Sharon Piggott (Tyrone), Rosaland Bowman (John), La’Mesa Bowman (Tony), and Tara Bowman (Oliver); sisters, Vivian Frazier (Preston), Joyce Piggott (Raymond), and Kaye Molley; sisters-in-law, Blanche Reed and Levonia Lee; brother-in-law, John Archie Lee; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren; special friend, Oscar Howard; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at Noon Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Bethel Restoration Center.  Interment to follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park.  Mr. Bowman may be viewed in the church on Wednesday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the hour of his service.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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