The Reverend Dr. Joseph Brown Bowen, Jr. passed away peacefully on November 28, 2023. He lived 89 meaningful years, full of compassion, kindness and universal acceptance. He is survived by his children: Bruce Bowen (Silvia) & Lucy Scott (Randy), his grandchildren: Courtney Rowe (Ryan), Rebecca Mackey (Lewis), Emily Frericks (Bradford), Sarah Lynn Bowen (Austin), Luis Bowen, and Carli Bowen and his great grandchildren: Charlie and Catherine Rowe, Ella Mackey, and Leo Frericks. His family grieves the loss of their "Papa Joe", but they take comfort in the fact that he is now resting at peace with his wife of 63 years, Harriette Bowen, who passed away last year.

A memorial service will be held at 10am, Friday, December 15th at the Alpharetta Methodist Church. In lieu of flower, donations would be appreciated to North Fulton Charity, (online or N Fulton Community Charity, 11270 Elkins Road Roswell, GA 30076) Wellroot Family Services (previously UMC Childrens home – online or Wellroot Family Services Attn: Gift Center, 1967 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 400 Tucker, GA 30084 ), or the Clemson University Foundation, 110 Daniel Dr., Clemson, SC 29631. Please note Joe & Harriette Bowen Scholarship on the memo line.

"Joe" was born in 1934 in Tate, Georgia -the only child of Lucy Kinney Bowen & Joe Bowen—a teacher and principal. He grew up in Villa Rica among family and friends. During World War II, Joe's father taught US airmen and sailors how to recognize enemy aircraft and ships. They followed his father along the east coast living in Hollywood Beach, FL, Williamsburg, VA, Bainbridge, MD and even spent a summer in a fraternity house at Ohio State. Joe's father died unexpectedly when he was 14. His mother, grandfather, uncles, aunts, football, and the Methodist church kept him going.

Joe went to college at Clemson University where he walked onto the football team, earning a starting spot as both a tight end and defensive end. He played under the legendary coach, Frank Howard. He was a lifelong Clemson Tiger fan and could regularly be seen sporting a Clemson baseball cap with a Tiger Paw pin on the brim. After completing an undergraduate degree, he went to Candler School of Theology at Emory University. At seminary school, he met the love of his life, Harriette who had recently transferred from Clemson. Later, he earned a doctorate in Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary.

As a Methodist minister, Joe and his family moved every few years. Wherever he went, he brought with him a gentle kindness and welcoming spirit that accepted everyone just as they were. Churches in and around Snellville, Athens, Atlanta, Dunwoody, LaGrange, Augusta, Alpharetta and Roswell all felt his presence.

As much as Joe loved his career sharing the Word of God, nothing brought him more joy than seeing his family together. He loved making his grandchildren laugh. Joe viewed the moments of joyful noise and chaos at family gatherings as sacred, and always made sure to gather together and acknowledge the gratitude and gift that is family.

Love you dad. You will be missed.