Joshua Bowen

Published 4:47 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Columbus – Joshua Bowen, 86, of Columbus, went home to be with the Lord on Friday evening, February 21, 2025, at Advent Health Polk in Columbus.

Born in Hode, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Scott Bowen and Essie Endicott Bowen. Mr. Bowen worked in the coal mines in Kentucky until he was injured. Following his injury, he began to travel with Evangelist J.C. Case, helping with tent revivals across the country. He later settled in Lynn, North Carolina, in 1970, and in 1977, he and his family moved to Columbus. Mr. Bowen was a jack of all trades and enjoyed working at home in his woodworking shop. He was a founding member of Landrum Church of God, which is now Hillview Church of God. He worked more man-hours building the church than anyone. Mr. Bowen is the last founding member.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Velma Kirk, Renda Booth, (infant) Hazel Loraine Bowen; four brothers, Hubert Bowen, Chester Bowen, Arnold Bowen and Harold Bowen; seven nephews, three great-nephews and one great-niece.

Surviving is his loving wife of 65 years, Ella Mae Alley Bowen; two sons, Martin Ray Bowen of Columbus and Jason Bowen of Columbus; one daughter, Gena Lazell Bowen of Columbus; two granddaughters, Anna Marie Bowen of Rutherfordton and Isabella Mae Bowen of Columbus; two brothers, Paul Bowen (Gracie) of Columbus, Ohio and Scott Bowen, Jr. (Ethel) of Hode, Kentucky; two sisters, Pauline Alley of Hode, Kentucky and Beatrice Cordle of Columbus, Ohio. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Hillview Church of God in Landrum.

A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with Reverend Chad Quinn officiating.

Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbus.

Memorials may be made to Hillview Church of God in Landrum or Tryon Church of God.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon