"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10

God in His divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding claimed the life of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Ethel Mae Rhodes Bowman on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

Ethel Mae , the third child of the Late Tance Rhodes and Cornelia Jones Rhodes, was born on January 10, 1930 in Rowesville, South Carolina. Her beautiful smile and charming personality captured the heart of many who loved and admired her sweet and caring spirit.

Ethel Mae attended the public school in Rowesville, South Carolina where she received her formal educational experiences. Motivated by strong religious values, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and became a member of St. John AME Church in Rowesville, South Carolina. She was an avid Sunday School scholar and served faithfully in many other capacities.

Ethel Mae met and was later united in holy matrimony to David Bowman, Sr. They were blessed with twelve children. Three preceded her in death.

Ethel Mae was a homemaker and mainly responsible for managing the family farm with her children. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and spending quality time with her family. She was well known in the community for her delicious home cooked meals which she readily shared with other family and friends. She loved entertaining others in home and cherished their many memories together. She lived her life well and was very respected in the community.

Ethel Mae was affiliated and later became a member of St. Stephen Baptist Church in Branchville, South Carolina where she served faithfully as a Deaconess, member of the Sunday School, and The Women Missionary Society. She was not only a mother of her children but also "Mother of the Church" which she took with great pride and humility.

Mother Bowman was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years, Deacon David Bowman, Sr.; Three sons: Ronald, Jacob, and Woodrow Bowman

Mother Bowman leaves to cherish her fond memories, Four daughters: Geneva (Carl) Addison, Ethel Marie (Clavin) Garvin, and Mazelle (Samuel) Carter all of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Cornelia (Herman) Livingston of Neeses, South Carolina; Five sons: Deacon David (Carrie) Bowman, Jr., Ernest Bowman, and Hugo Orlando (Veronica) Bowman all of Branchville, South Carolina; Nathaniel (Linda) Bowman of Orangeburg, South Carolina and Melvin T. Bowman of Columbia, South Carolina; One daughter-in-law: Florrie Mae Simpson Bowman; Two Sisters: Cornelia Rhodes Whetstone of Savannah, Georgia and Lillie Mae Glover of Orangeburg, South Carolina; One brother: Richard Carmichael of Orangeburg, South Carolina; Thirty grandchildren, Fifty-two great grandchildren, Three great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.