Bennie Bowman was born Sunday, January 24, 1926 in Spartanburg, South Carolina .
he died Wednesday, January 2, 2008. his recorded age was 81.
he was a veteran of the Navy and served in World War II.
BOWMAN Bennie Bowman, 81, of Worthington, OH, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2008. Bennie was born on January 24, 1926 in Spartanburg, SC to the late Ben and Lula Davis Bowman. He graduated from Carver High School in Spartanburg and served proudly in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Bennie received his B.S. degree in physical education from Allen University in Columbia, SC. Afterward, he moved to Columbus, OH with his wife, Bessie Lena Johnson, and daughter, Yvonne. Bennie worked at the Defense Construction Supply Center for several years before becoming a United States Postal Service Clerk. After retiring in 1985, he began working full time in his own business, BYB Remodeling, doing what he loved to do, remodeling and renovating homes. Bennie was a faithful member of Mt. Vernon Avenue A.M.E. Church, where he was Trustee Emeritus and a member of the Senior Usher Board. Bennie was a devoted member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for 60 years. While he was active in the Mu Iota chapter of Columbus he served as Basilus and was the recipient of the Omega Brotherhood and Man of the Year Awards. In addition to his parents, Bennie was preceded in death by brothers Walter Raleigh Bowman of Columbus, OH and John Davis Bowman of Columbia, SC and sister Georgia Lee Neal of New York City. He is survived by his wife, Bessie; daughter, Yvonne Bowman (James) Wright of Fayetteville, GA; grandson, Justin James Benjamin Wright; brother, Eddie Ray Bowman of Spartanburg, SC; sisters, Paris Taylor of Columbus, OH, Ruth Bowman of Spartanburg, SC and Margaret Hawkins of Spartanburg, SC; sister-in-law, Vivian (Lester) Hudson of Detroit, MI; brother-in-law, Willie James Johnson of Columbus, OH; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and close family friends. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 10 a.m. prior to 12 noon services at Mt. Vernon Avenue A.M.E. Church, 1127 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43293, the Rev. Dr. William S. Wheatley, Sr. Pastor officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: National Kidney Foundation of Ohio, 1373 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200, Columbus, OH 43212-2804; Lifeline of Ohio (Organ and Tissue Donation), 770 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212; American Heart Association, 5455 NE High Street, Columbus, OH; Mt. Vernon Avenue A.M.E. Scholarship Fund; or J. Ashburn Junior Youth Center, 85 Clarendon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223. Interment at Flint Cemetery. Arrangements by J. MARTIN SMITH MORTUARY, 1173 East Hudson Street, Columbus, OH 43211. "Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries