Charlie Bowens of Southampton died on April 12. He was 73.
Born on May 5, 1940, on Young’s Island, South Carolina, Mr. Bowens was the son of Joseph Bowens and Elowise P. Bowens, both of whom predeceased him. He attended the Young’s Island public schools and was raised by his sister, Gladys Green of Young’s Island.
At an early age he moved to Bridgehampton, and later Southampton, where he was a groundskeeper for the Meadow Club for more than 30 years. Survivors said he was well liked throughout the communities of Southampton and Bridgehampton, where he also worked as a caretaker. On April 4, 1979, he married Rose Ann Brown, and the couple had a son, Charlie Bowens Jr.
Mr. Bowens was predeceased by a stepson, Richard Brown of Southampton; three brothers, Joseph, Benjamin and Arthur Bowens of South Carolina; four sisters, Minie Pinckney, Gladys Green and Emma Parker of South Carolina and Pearlie Mae Brown of the Bronx.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Ann Bowens of Southampton; a son, Charlie Bowens Jr. of Southampton; a stepson, James Brown of Patchogue; a sister, Elizabeth Rice of the Bronx; his mother-in-law, Wilhelmina Brown of South Carolina; four sisters-in-law, Betty Coaxum and husband Irving, Ruth Brown and husband Jack, Louise Harrison, and Elizabeth Brown, all of South Carolina; four brothers-in-law, John Henry, James Willie and Steven Brown, all of South Carolina; a daughter-in-law, Cordasia Brown of Patchogue; six grandchildren, Andrew, Sareye, Niyah, Jamirah, Jubilee Brown and Kayla Bowens; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
A wake was held April 19 at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton, followed by a service conducted by Rev. Henry Faison Jr., pastor of Southampton First Baptist Church. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery.