Joe was born in Cleveland County, NC on July 15, 1934 a son of the late Frank Bowman and Blanche Bridges Bowman.   Joe was involved in the R.A.’s, he was vice president of the Optimist Club, and an Associate Scout Master.  He was a member of Waco Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School teacher of the W.H. Dodd Sunday School Class for nine years and chairman of the Ushers and former Deacon.  He was retired as a long line driver from Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation of Cherryville after 25 years of service.  After his retirement from Carolina Freight Joe enjoyed volunteering for the C. Grier Beam Truck Museum and him and his friend Carl McIntyre in 2008 started a Carolina Freight Reunion.  Joe was also a member of Teamsters Local #61 and Chaplain of their Retirees club.  Joe was a member of the Lawndale American Legion, serving in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Shirley Jane Smith Bowman of the home; three sons, Joe Bowman, Jr. of Shelby, John C. Bowman and wife Gloria and Jeffrey Robert Bowman all of Polkville; four stepchildren, Pamela Jensen and husband Richard of Colorado Springs, CO, Charles R. Potts,  and wife Leigh of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ronald R. Potts and wife Karen of Pikeville and Darwin Potts and wife Laura of Maryville, TN; two brothers, Roger Bowman of Fallston and Dewey Bowman of Apple Valley, CA; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents Joe was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry, Thomas and Gene Bowman and a sister Katherine Fletcher.

Visitation will be on Monday, June 4, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Stamey~Cherryville Funeral Home and at other times the family will be at the home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 11:00am at Waco Baptist Church with the Dr. Harold Fite and Mr. Richard Jensen officiating.

Burial will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Fallston.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Gaston County, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28053 or to W.H. Dodd Sunday School Class c/o Waco Baptist Church, PO Box 297 Waco, NC 28169.

A guest register is available at www.stameyfuneralhome.com

Stamey~Cherryville Funeral Home is serving the Bowman family.