April 8, 1928 – June 29, 2023
“Bubba, Blue, Governor, Boss, Joe Giggles” – Maurice Hilton Bowles, Sr. left his earthly home for heavenly reward on June 29, 2023. He was 95 years young. Maurice was born the third of eight children to Joseph Sr. and Julia Boone Bowles. He was a life-long member of Zion Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia where he was recognized as a “Diamond of Zion” and served on the repast committee well into his 80s.
Maurice was a standout athlete, lettering in both basketball and football at his alma mater, the historic Peabody High School. He was accepted to and entered West Virginia State College, with an athletic scholarship, but was soon drafted to serve his country for four years during the Korean War where he was a Sergeant in the United States Army. Shortly before his deployment, he married his childhood sweetheart and best friend, Alice Bernell Harris. After being honorably discharged, Maurice returned home to be husband to Alice and father to his two children with which they were blessed.
Blessed are the people who are touched by the spirit of God, and by his grace, through men who freely give of themselves to their children and to their community. Maurice was an ardent lover of classic television westerns and movies of heroic figures, who overcame adversity to champion others to conquer inequity. So, it’s easy to understand that he lived his life in a similar fashion. Having a true servant’s heart, he gave back to others through organizations known far and wide for their charitable philanthropy. In 1955, Maurice underwent the rites and rituals to be a Mason, eventually to become a Prince Hall Free & Accepted Master Mason, raised in Jerusalem Lodge No. 16, in Petersburg, Virginia. He spoke often and highly, with passion, of the brotherhood and commitment of the Masons. His eyes would glisten when speaking that the significance of the ring was to transcend all boundaries.
In 1967, Maurice joined the Club 17 Charitable Foundation where he worked alongside his “comrades” and “brothers in arms” as he often referred to them. Over time he became a significant member of the Club, managing youth baseball and basketball in the community and served as Club Recording Secretary. He worked tirelessly to get kids involved in sports and activities; and to this day, those children recall fond memories of Coach Bowles and the life lessons he taught them. Some even stating that not only was he their coach, but that he and his Club 17 brothers were oftentimes the only father-figures that some of them had. He was vital to the Club’s efforts to organize and donate to the community with school scholarships and giving kids a chance to explore and grow their talents. Later in his life, his devotion to the mission of Club 17 moved the membership to dedicate a Club 17 Charitable Foundation gathering hall in his honor where his photo and the moniker “Bowles Hall” remains for all to see.
He loved to work in his yard and garden where he found great peace giving special care to his lawn, shrubbery, and trees. In fact, it was his compulsion, even more so, his passion to do the same when he would visit his children as it seems Maurice was uncomfortable sitting still. He was an avid sports fan, every hour of every day, often watching baseball and basketball. But he always favored his Cleveland Browns football team. What’s more, he never passed up an opportunity or an invitation to go fishing. In fact, from 1967 to 2015, he never missed a deep-sea fishing trip with his beloved Club 17. Maurice made his living working in floor installation then moved to Government civil service. He completed his career in government service to retire and devote his time and energy to being a wonderful “Papa” and committed member of Club 17. He loved to gather friends and family in the back yard for barbecues. He loved crossword puzzles which he most often completed in ink and he loved card games especially Spades, Bid Whist and Pinochle, known notoriously for playing Rise & Fly throughout the night. In 1982, he and his wife Alice visited his family in Colorado and became completely snowed in. Unable to leave the home for over a week, Maurice told the family they were going to play pinochle to occupy their time. So, for six straight days, he had them playing pinochle from morning to night. When the roads began to clear he went out to help people get out of the snow.
Maurice is preceded in death by: his timeless love, Alice Bernell Harris Bowles; his parents; Joseph and Julia Bowles, his sister, Dolores “Minnie” Bowles; brothers Earl, William, and Joseph Bowles, Jr; a brother and a sister who both died in infancy; sister-in-law Ida Bell Harris Chambliss; brother-in-Law George Chambliss, Sr.; devoted nephew Arthur Cooksey, Jr and dear friend, Parham “Acut” Greene.
Maurice is survived by: his daughter, Millicent Lassiter (Bert), son, Maurice Bowles, Jr.; and his devoted sister, Gloria Dianne Bowles Cooksey. He also leaves to honor his memory: his grandchildren, Rev. Dawn Bowles, Rev. Maurice H. Bowles III, Joi Bowles, Parris Bowles, Alysia Woronicz (Jason), Brian Lassiter (Kristin), Stephen Lassiter and Monique Lassiter; ten wonderful great grandchildren, Paris Jae Bowles, Hendrix Blackmon, Major Ahmad Bowles, Seth Maurice Woronicz, Britton Lassiter, Kingston Lassiter, Adelaide Lassiter, Finlynn Lassiter, Eli Lassiter, and Aurora Lassiter. He also leaves his devoted nephew and nieces, George” Junnie” Chambliss, Jr., Sherri Lynne Cooksey Hobbs and Tanya Cooksey. Maurice is remembered too by his sister-in-law, Earthel Bowles; devoted daughter-in-law, Ruth Bowles Maclin; goddaughters, Teanne Robinson and devoted Debbie Dillard Pearson; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins. True friends who also treasure his memory include Joe Arrington, Douglas “DJ” Batts, Herbert Wheat, Bernard Harper, Ronald Harper, Leonard Walker, John Jefferson, Leonard Pendleton, Leon Washington, Paul Wilson, Corean Parker, Sam and Dee Johnson, Bertha Hicks, and the dear, just recently departed, Fred Dillard.
Maurice, with his love for family and friends, and his deference to people, will be truly missed as a pillar of wisdom, reason, and fellowship.
Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Friday, July 7, 2023, at Zion Baptist Church, 225 Byrne Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Maurice H. Bowles III, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.