Rodney Garrett Bowden

Rodney Garrett Bowden, 79, of Bedford, Va., passed away peacefully Saturday, August 15, 2009, surrounded by his family. He was born on Thursday, May 8, 1930, in Roanoke, a son of the late Gussie McFarland Bowden and Jessie Hodges Bowden. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mabel Mattox Bowden; and a brother, Joseph Perry Bowden. He was a retired employee of Halmode Apparel and was a member of Quaker Baptist Church. Surviving are his three sons, Rodney Wayne Bowden, Daniel Garrett Bowden and wife, Pamela, LarSanda Bowden, all of Bedford; five daughters, Margaret B. Carter and husband, Ernest Jr. "Pee Wee", Vicky L. St. Clair and husband, Roger, Robin Martin and husband, Jeff, Yelear Leigh Holdren and husband, Donny, all of Bedford, Tanya B. McFall, Morristown, Tenn.; a daughterin-law, Deborah Eddes, of Falling Waters, W.Va.; a sister, Jean B. Witt, of Bedford; 23 grandchildren and 31 greatgrandchildren. The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider Bedford Ride, 1613 Oakwood St., Bedford, Va. 24523. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 17, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with the Rev. Dr. Eldridge Cullum and the Rev. Danny Holdren officiating. Interment will follow in Quaker Baptist Church Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday after 11 a.m. and the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.