Major Ross Bowers' Obituary
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On the evening of Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 5:09 pm, Major Ross Bowers, age 94, exchanged his earthly home for a new, eternal residence. He is now FREE from the toils of THIS life!
Visitation will be held at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home on Friday, September 22, 2017, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL., 62526, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will also be held at Moran and Goebel Funeral Home, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Decatur, Illinois. Messages of condolence may be posted and sent to the family via www.moranandgoebel.com.
Major was born on December 19, 1922 in Falcon, Tennessee (a community very near to Selmer). He was the fourth of nine children born to Henry Harrison Bowers and Ollie Mae Ella Ray- Bowers. He attended McNairy County High School, however, decided to terminate his formal education after completing the tenth grade. Remaining in Selmer, he worked various jobs, first as a meat cutter at a local supermarket and eventually, as an entrepreneur. He established and managed a small café called the Sunset Inn, and unfortunately, it was short-lived; but Major did not give up his work ethic, nor that spirit of “having his own.” He had greater plans for his future in mind, so he headed to Illinois.
Upon his arrival to Decatur, Major gained employment at W.W. Burns Chevrolet, Wagner Castings, and ultimately as a Chauffeur for Mrs. W.W. Burns (Gladys). The employment opportunity as a Chauffeur afforded Major a chance to travel, broaden his experiences, get a glimpse of how the “wealthy” lived daily, and create of vision of the life he wanted for his own family. The duration of his position of Chauffeur continued for over 35 years.
When Major began his search for a reputable bride, he knew that he wanted a special person, so he did not settle for just anyone! Major pursued and united with Lucille D King in matrimony on September, 4, 1955 and recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. To their union six children were born and reared. In Lucy’s words “Major was a responsible man who cared about his family, who always complimented me, and who told me that there would never be another for him. He never prevented me from achieving my own goals, purchasing what I wanted to buy, or expressing my own ideas and thoughts. If I had to remarry again, I would remarry Major. God sent Major to me; the Lord knew what Major needed and He knew what I needed. Major found me and all things turned out just fine.”
While working as a Chauffeur, Major was also self-employed, so that multiple streams of income were always flowing. He cut down and trimmed trees for many residents within and outside of Decatur. People were so astonished at his amazing skill and finesse when it came to controlling and maneuvering the heavy limbs of massive trees with ease, that they would sit for hours to watch him. Word of mouth of his abilities spread and he gained status as a premiere resource for tree work. He manicured yards and flower gardens with breathtaking beauty, using flowers and plants of various colors. He knew just where to place each one! He sold the wood from tree cutting as firewood, grew crops and made them available for purchase, performed masonry work, mowed grass, plowed snow away from streets and lots, and sold cosmetics for the Keystone and Lucky Heart Companies. Additionally, Major got involved in the Green Thumb Gardening Program through an affiliation with Mr. Al Dobbins. He would plow, disc, and make rows so that the numerous participants in the Green Thumb program in Decatur could plant their own crops. He loved this job and his tractor became his best bud. He repaired and rode that tractor until he could not ride it anymore! He built the family home from the ground up, fixed the cars, trucks and the tractor. Even though he was one of the hardest working men in town, he still made time to play songs on the piano, guitar, and harmonica, to play basketball and baseball outside with the kids, to take his children to the Fun Fair, to Fairview Park to ride the train and see the caged bears, to the airport to watch the planes come and go, and to teach his children how to properly handle finances. After church on Sundays, he loyally took his children to Kembrook’s store to buy RC pop and candy, and to Eisner’s for the large package of sandwich crème cookies and the large carton of vanilla ice cream.
Major accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour in his early years of life and remained a devoted servant throughout his life. He read his Bible every night. He was a member of the North Jasper Street Church of Christ, where he faithfully and happily served as the Treasurer for 45 years or so. He was a great teacher, not only in words, but also in deeds. He was always available and willing to help others. He was not a complex man, not a showboat either…but he had an impeccable reputation. His word was his bond and his handshake was integral. He had great character and was compassionate and caring. No one was a stranger to him…he could talk your ear off! He always had good sound advice for his children, grandchildren, and for people in general. He was soft- hearted, and not materialistic, but rather humble and grateful. His gentleness and kindness was nothing to take for granted, because he was always one step ahead of those who may have thought that he was gullible. What a Man he was….his story will live on in the hearts of those who loved him so dearly!
Major is survived by his wife Lucille; his children: Brenda Bowers, Kenneth Bowers, Terry Bowers (Annette), Glynis Robbins, Janis L. Washington, and David Bowers (Pam); his grandchildren: Stacy, Andra, Carisa, Chantile, Jada, Alexander, Kyle, Kendra, and Kory; great- grandchildren: Travis, Rayhan, Kione, Kalin, Kiaala, Khyran, Rayna, and Camden; brother: Herbert Hoover “Steve” Bowers (JoAnn); sister: Jewell Trice, and a multitude of extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: (Twins) Sarah Vernell Browning & William Verdell Bowers, Verble Atkins, Rose Mary Dixson, Dorothy Spence, and Calvin Bowers.
Video Tribute for Major Ross Bowers: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/7Q3K3GR7ZXJCPT65
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