Gabe Bowens, Jr.

On the warm summer’s day September 16, 1946, a bouncy, wide-eyed boy was born to the late Corine Addison Bowens and Gabe Bowens, Sr. of Bonneau, South Carolina. In honor of his father, that bouncy little boy was given the name Gabe Bowens, Jr. He was the eldest son and fifth child of nine born to his parents.

Reared in a religious environment, Gabe went to church as often as the doors were opened. While in his early teens, he became a member of St. Stephen Baptist Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. I. A. Jefferson, Pastor, and his Deacon, the late Ransom Addison. It was at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church that he accepted Christ as his Savior, and actively served as a member of several organizations, two of which were the Sunday school and the Youth Choir.

Gabe was educated in the Berkeley County Public School System and was a member of the Russellville High School Class of 1966. Prior to his high school graduation, his parents, teachers and others in the community recognized his potentials and encouraged him to pursue an education to improve his livelihood from that of the traditional fieldhand to a career in the trades or other professions. While residing in YNew York City (NYC), Gabe furthered his education his education by participating in various technical programs and trainings. These technical trainings led to his becoming a NYC Semi-Pro Boxer, which in and of itself, led to enormous opportunities for him to travel nationally and internationally with the Bedford Stuyvesant Boxing Association.

Always gainfully employed, Gabe has held positions with several companies, including Robert Hall, Levi & Associates and Mezzacappa Brothers in NYC. Once he returned home, he spent many years with Santee Cooper as a linesman, where he remained until his retirement in 2013. In addition to his regular 9-5 job, he has always been resourceful and has held a side job as a skilled, and highly sought-after plumber and electrician. He has freely provided and shared his skills and talents with his family, friends and the community. Many times, he performed these services free of charge.

While in New York, he married Mary Ann Burton, a kind lady of Georgia, in 1968, and was blessed with three biological children and one stepson. Two of his biological children (Frederick Keith Bowens and Gabe Bowens, III) preceded him in death. He later met Mary Mae Greene, of Brooklyn, New York, and was blessed with one child. Shortly thereafter, he and Mary Ann Burton Bowens relocated to Bonneau, South Carolina, where she, too, preceded him in death.

Upon his return to the St. Stephen Community, he renewed his membership at his home church, St. Stephen Missionary Baptist, and actively served the church in the following capacities:  Chairman, and later, Member of the Trustee Board, President of Male Chorus, and Member of the Senior Choir. He served these auxiliaries faithfully until he was called to his Heavenly home.

On June 26, 1999, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to his high school classmate and friend, Ms. Maxine Middleton of Stephen, SC. He affectionately gave her the pet name, Max, and he called her by that name as no one else could. For the past 22 years, Our Lord Savior has blessed this couple with a beautiful marriage that has abounded in Christian love for each other.

On Sunday morning, October 24, 2021, while in the presence of his devoted wife, who watched as Gabe’s heartbeat became faint; as his eyes slowly closed; as his smile left his strong face; and as his arms went limp by his side, he quickly slipped away from this earthly life to his Heavenly home.

Gabe leaves to cherish many fond memories: a loving wife, Maxine Middleton Bowens; two daughters: Norma C. Hubbard and Ebony Bowens Roulhac (Ramel); one stepson: Edward A. Burton-Kelly (Valencia); five grandchildren: Darius Bowens, Christian Hubbard, Marioantonio Hubbard, Talijah Roulhac and Cameron Roulhac; two stepgrand children: Volita and Douglas Kelly; three siblings: Iva M. Armstrong, Katiebell Pearson and Elijah E. Bowens (Marilynn); three aunts: Elease Addison, Mabel Addison and Isabel Anderson; three sisters-in-law: Eartha L. Middleton Dingle, Viola W. Middleton, and Marguerite S. Middleton; two brothers-in-law: Joe Middleton and Seward Middleton, Jr.; Special, Special friends: Jasper Murray, Salis Middleton, Alphonzo Jefferson, George Jefferson, Harold Bowens, Wolf; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Viewing will be held Friday, October 29, 2021, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Gethers St. Stephen Chapel, 221 Church Road, St. Stephen, SC. Face masks are required. Graveside service will be held Saturday, October 30,  2021, 11:00 a.m., at Mexico Cemetery, Mexico Cemetery Road, Pineville, SC. Please wear a face mask and practice social distancing.

The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh