Alva Manly Bowen

Male, #35106, (10 Sep 1900 - 26 Jun 1980)

Birth*10 Sep 1900 Alva was born at Anderson Co., South Carolina, on 10 Sep 1900.1 
Employment* Alva's occupation: educator. 
Marriage*7 Aug 1923 He married Julia Clay Culpepper on 7 Aug 1923. 
Death*26 Jun 1980 He died at Newnan, Coweta Co., Georgia, on 26 Jun 1980.1 
Burial*28 Jun 1980 His body was interred on 28 Jun 1980 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Newnan, Coweta Co., Georgia.1 
Biography*  The following obituary was written by the Sports Editor of Newnan Times Herald 'FESSOR BOWEN WAS A PATRIOT AND AN EDUCATOR The Stars and Stripes were flying at the home of A. M. Bowen at 125 LaGrange Street last Saturday afternoon. A few hours earlier Manley Bowen had been laid to rest, a victim of cancer. He was my neighbor and a sincere one. He often sat on his porch across the street from my home and through the years he saw the youngsters playing and growing up. He cared about them and let me know that he did by asking about them from time to time. I sat with this man at our weekly Kiwanis meeting and I continued to be amazed at his knowledge on most all subjects. He was a learned man. I first remembered him as 'Fessor Bowen--that's what the kids called him during the 11 years he served as principal at Newnan High School. All total he gave some 40 years of his life to education. I'm glad I had him as a friend and neighbor. As I sat on my porch late Saturday afternoon a gentle breeze ruffled the American flag at the Bowen home. Beside the flag was the empty chair where this man would sit in the late afternoons reading his paper and waving to friends. Maybe he was waving goodbye this time--this man who loved God and country.
      The following obituary was the Society Editor of Newnan Times Herald (Guest Columnist) A. Manly Bowen was a fine Christian gentleman, and in his quiet, gentle way worked for the good of his community, state and the nation. He was principal of Newnan High School during the four years I spent there, and was my first teacher of Algebra, a subject that I am no more familiar with today than I was at that time. It was at his suggestion that I go to summer school at the end of my freshman year, for he convinced me that if I did not learn the basic rudiments, I would have trouble with all mathematics throughout my school years. Thanks to him, I was able to progress to Miss Louise Rumble's geometry classes with a minimum of trouble. Years later, I had occasion to consult with Mr. Bowen quite often on behalf of this newspaper on matters concerning [t]he Newnan Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, the Georgia Rehabilitation offices and other civic projects in which he was engaged, including his duties with his church. He truly loved his family and home, his church and his country.
      The following obituary is from and unknown source: A. M. BOWEN Alva Manly Bowen, 79, of 125 LaGrange Street, Newnan, died June 26, 1980, in Coweta General Hospital, following an extended illness. Born September 10, 1900, in Anderson County, S. C., he was a graduate of Anderson High School, Anderson, S. C., received his A. B. degree from the University of South Carolina in 1922. He also had postgraduate studies at Emory University, the University of Georgia, and Florida State University. Mr. Bowen was a veteran of World War I, U. S. Army and was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years, serving as both Post and District Commander. He was a member of the Newnan Presbyterian Church and was an active Elder for 25 years. He was Elder Emeritus and teacher of the men's Sunday School class of the Newnan Presbyterian Church. An educator for over 43 years, Mr. Bowen had been a teacher of mathematics and administrator in Fayetteville, taught at Tech High School, Brown Junior High School and O'Keefe Junior High School in Atlanta, LaGrange High School and was teacher principal of Newnan High School for 11 years. He was one of the organizers of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation under the State Department of Education where he served for 24 years, and was supervisor of both local and district offices. Mr. Bowe also taught mathematics at the Georgia State University evening school. He was a salesman for Lindsey's Realty for 10 years. Mr. Bowen was a member of the Newnan Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, serving as president in 1934. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Julia Clay Culpepper Bowen, Newnan; daughter, Miss Sarah Louise Bowen, Newnan; son, Captain Alva Manly Bowen, Jr., Annapolis, Md; grandchildren, Mr. Gerald Bowen, of Chantilly, Va., Miss Julia Bowen, New York, N. Y; great-grandchildren, Julia Mae Bowen, Robert Bowen, Laura Bowen, all of Chantilly, Va; sister, Mrs. Ruby Boynton, Greenville. S. C; half-brother, Mr. Elmo Bowen, of Marietta. Funeral services were held Saturday, June 28, 1980, at 3:00 p. m. at the Newnan Presbyterian Church. Rev. Richard Swayze and Dr. J. McDowell Richards officiated. Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery. McKoon Funeral Home. 

Family

Julia Clay Culpepper (23 Aug 1902 - 15 May 1981)

Last Edited 7 Aug 2004

Citations

  1. Coweta County Genealogical Society, compiler, Coweta Co., GA Cemeteries, Roswell, GA: WH Wolfe Associates, 1986, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. FHL US/CAN Book: 975.8423.
    Oak Hill Cemetery, Newnan, Coweta Co., GA
    + Alva Manly Bowen, 10 Sep 1900 – 26 Jun 1980
    + Julia Culpepper Bowen, 23 Aug 1902 – 15 May 1981.