Wesley L. Bowden Jr.

Funeral service for Wesley L. Bowden, Jr., 78, will be Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Sylacauga with Dr. Larry Morrison and Dr. Rick Patrick officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Sylacauga, AL. Mr. Bowden died Monday, February 16, 2015 at St. Vincent's Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley Lanson Bowden, Sr. and Doris Bowden. Mr. Bowden was a member of First Baptist Church of Sylacauga where he served on many committees and offices. He was past President of the Kiwanis Club. He was honorably discharged from the Alabama National Guard. Mr. Bowden owned and operated Bowden Oil Company, Inc. for 60 years. He enjoyed owning and showing antique cars and he was a member of a number of antique car clubs. He served on the Board of Directors for The First National Bank for over 20 years and served in many other civic organizations. The mainstay of his life was his family. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nora Merrell Bowden of Sylacauga; son, David McCarter, wife Jill of Sylacauga; daughters, Debbie Rogers, husband Bobby and Donna Jones, husband Larry of Sylacauga; grandchildren, Wes McCarter, Elise Rogers Grove, husband Tony, Erica Rogers Sims, husband Rocky and Rylee Jones; great-grandchildren, Tucker, Rhett, Gunar and Cohen Sims. Visitation will be Thursday, February 19, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Sylacauga. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions to the First Baptist Church of Sylacauga, P.O. Box 234, Sylacauga, AL 35150; Knollwood Christian School P.O. Box 340, Sylacauga, AL 35150; Alabama Baptist Children's Home P. O. Box 361767 Birmingham, AL 35236. Honorary pallbearers will be Clint Collins, Don Hardy, Raymond Styres, Stevie Wyatt, Perry Andrews, David Hamilton and Robert Campbell. Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com. Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.