Marvin Bowen Obituary

Marvin Dexter Bowen passed from earth to heaven on Monday, June 30, 2025. Marvin was born in Aberdeen, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Bertha. His remaining siblings are Robert Carlos Bowen, Jerry Bowen, and Patricia Williams. Marvin was preceded in death by his sisters Kathleen, Juanita, Wanda and JoAnn, and by his brothers Seth Elgar, Billy, George, Jack, and Willie. Marvin was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Jewel Law Bowen. Ruby and Marvin dated since he was sixteen and Ruby was fourteen. They double dated with Marvin's brother and Ruby's sister, Katherine. They married right before Marvin was drafted into the Army.

Marvin leaves two children, Clarence Dexter Bowen (Deborah) and Dinah Jewel Bowen Montague (David). Marvin leaves four grandchildren, Wesley David Montague (Lacey), Caitlan Jewel Bergevin (Nick), Christian Davis Montague (Martha), Caroline Louise Montague (Trey). Marvin was blessed with five great grandchildren, Savannah Grace Montague, Hayden Louis Johnson, Caroline Jewel Johnson, Rhett Christian Montague, and Autumn Rose Montague.

Marvin served in the Army during the Korean War in the Signal Corp. Marvin was injured in the war by a bazooka gun which damaged the nerves in his ears. He was honorably discharged from the Army. Marvin moved to Memphis after getting laid off in Aberdeen, Mississippi from a garment factory. Marvin held positions in purchasing and logistics at companies in Memphis while constantly learning and furthering his career until retirement. He loved attending school and was always taking courses to further his education and expertise. He was on the board of Bethel Church where he also taught Sunday School to young adults. He sang in the choir and played the bass guitar in the orchestra.

He was known everywhere for his big beautiful smile and outgoing personality. He never met a stranger and loved to talk to new people to find out about their lives. He became a part of a program in Memphis called "The Promise Keepers" to rid Memphis of the racial divide. He made many lifelong friendships through this program. Marvin loved his family and enjoyed all of them being together. He loved bragging on his grandchildren. He always had a joke to tell when he was with his friends and family. He loved giving his grandchildren a hard time to make them laugh. He lived at Robinwood Senior Living for eleven years after the death of his beloved wife. He made friends quickly. He had two special friends there and they were affectionately referred to as the "Three Musketeers" by the residents and staff. Marvin loved to read, play Rook, Dominoes, and play pool as his hobbies. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was a Godly man that told people about the love of Christ. He showed the love of Christ through his joyful heart and kindness. He will be missed by all who love him, but he is with his Savior and his wife, his sweetheart.

A visitation for Marvin will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A funeral will occur Friday, July 11, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A graveside will occur Friday, July 11, 2025 from 11:15 AM to 11:30 AM at Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119.