Claude Edwards Bowman 1948-2022

Claude, lovingly known to family and friends as “Buggs,” was born Aug. 9, 1948, in Winston Salem, N.C. He was a 1966 graduate of Youngstown East High School and served 12 years as a bus driver for Youngstown City Schools Special Busing. Following his retirement from Special Busing, he worked for Atlas Moving Co. and The Vindicator in Youngstown within the daily delivery unit.

As the patriarch, Claude was a beloved and proud member of the Bowman family, with a laugh that could shake the mountains and a heart as big as the universe. Family gatherings at his home or in the park always included Buggs on the grill with his special sauce. He made sure to always give love and support to his sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews throughout his life, often perceived as a father figure. Nieces and nephews remember him attending sports games, proms and special events in their lives watching and cheering, while his granddaughter, Dimp, remembers him always being there to catch her if she should fall. Often called “The Three Amigos,” his passing reunites him with his beloved sisters, Sureda and Beatrice.

Left to cherish and remember family moments and precious memories with Buggs are his wife, Linda Bowman of Youngstown; three sisters, Fresha Stanford of Columbus, Claudette Brown of Youngstown and Daphne Morrell of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Elder Carmon S. Bowman (Minnie) of Warren and Brian Bowman (Maria) of Liberty; stepchildren, Jacquela, Juania, Jakista, Selina, Jamhal, Gleneita, Anita Cunningham (Aaron) and Harvey Howell; grandchildren, Shar’linda Carter (Carlisle), Ashley Aaron, Aaron Jr., and Anthony Howell; great-grandchildren, Aaronae, Jedi and Chase Carter, and Mi’Kale Hayes; special nieces and nephew, Alesha L. Rivers of Youngstown, Tanisha N. Bowman of Hampton, Va., Akesha J. Bowman, of Atlanta, Ga. and Daryl E. Curry of Youngstown; and an extended host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Claude was preceded in death by grandmothers, Hattie Bowman and Ruth Coe; mother, Dorothy Lee Bowman; father, Claude Edwards Sr.; four brothers, Kevin G. Bowman, Keith Bowman, Samuel Bowman and Frederick B. Bowman; two sisters, Sureda M. Curry and Beatrice P. Bowman; brothers-in-law, Sam Stanford Sr. and Herbert Brown Sr.; and stepdaughter, Melelia “Buttons” Howell.

Funeral services will be handled by L.E. Black Phillips and Holden Funeral Home, with viewing hours from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, and funeral services at 11 a.m.

(special notice)