Bobbie Bowen Obituary

Bobbie (Faye) Arrowood Bowen, 81, of Mount Holly passed peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Robin Johnson Hospice in Dallas, NC. Bobbie won the title Miss Mount Holly in 1962 and rode in the Christmas parade that year as part of this title. She graduated from Mount Holly High and went to University of Western North Carolina to study education, where she met her husband who survives her, Arthur E. "Gene" Bowen III, from Windsor, NC.
She is survived by her daughter Dr. Shannon A. Bowen, a full Professor at the University of South Carolina, who has authored seven books and hundreds of research articles. Bobbie is also survived by her elder brother, Terry Arrowood of Mount Holly, a former radio personality specializing in Golden Age music and film. Bobbie was pre-deceased by her parents, Martin Luther and Florence Arrowood; her elder brother, Larry Arrowood, whom many knew as a local Southern Baptist Minister; and two younger brothers, Luke and Randy Arrowood. Bobbie taught fifth grade in her early life, then worked as a newspaper reporter for the Union Times in Union, SC, before returning to teaching. Then Bobbie and her husband Gene moved to Europe for a decade and enjoyed traveling across the continent. She pursued advocacy for the benefit of horses, enjoyed Tarheel basketball, and spending time at her homes in Mount Holly and Surfside Beach, SC.
A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Hillcrest Gardens Cemetery in Mount Holly. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday prior to the graveside service in the Chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly.
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