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WOODLAND – Born on May 2, 1947 in New Bern NC to Arthur Cleve Slaughter and Pearl Love Miles and later adopted by Lloyd Duane Bowen, Arthur Cleve Bowen ended his long battle with cancer on December 9, 2024.

Cleve was a member of Hebron Baptist Church of Woodland, in the first graduating class of Northampton High School and briefly attended Chowan College. A founding member of the Woodland Volunteer Rescue and Fire Department at 17 years old, Cleve served over 60 years in various ranks including Chief throughout the years. He was also a Woodland Police Officer from 1968-1970. Cleve married the love of his life, Brenda Louise Young, on October 4, 1969. His musical talents flourished into a local bluegrass band in the late 70s and 80s but he also enjoyed playing gospel and rockabilly country. Cleve was a commercial truck driver for most of his career beginning with Parker Manufacturing of Woodland and traveled most of the eastern seaboard for casket and aluminum companies. He retired from the maintenance division of Georgia Pacific in Conway in 2010. Cleve and Brenda enjoyed camping and spending time at the river whenever they could.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years; their two daughters, Tonya Louise Bowen of Conway, NC and Tina Bowen Bryant of Conway, SC; two grandchildren, Karley Breann Bryant and Bowen Edward Bryant; a brother, Phillip Keith Bowen Sr. (Ann); sisters-in-law, Sherry Young (Earl), Shelia Conner (Ray); nephews, Phillip Bowen Jr. (Amy), Cody Hurdle, Deago Conner (Chastity), Dewayne Conner, Grover “Bo” Young and Kelly Young; nieces, Amanda Bowen Vann (Charlie) and Lou Futrell (Luke); a special cousin, Webster “Gil” Gilbert Jr; a half-brother, Arthur Pete Slaughter and a half-sister, Paulette Slaughter Smith; and a host of cousins.

Cleve was preceded in death by his parents; uncles, Henry Miles, Pervist Miles, and Walter Miles; aunt, Sallie Gilbert; brothers-in-law, Joseph Little Young, and Grover Cleveland Young III; nephews, Joseph Brown Young and David Ray Conner Jr.; sister-in-law, Linda Baker Bowen; and the most special Boston Terrier named “Baby”.

Cleve dedicated his life to the Woodland Fire Department and the Town of Woodland, even serving as Police and Fire Commissioner for the Town of Woodland.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 10 a.m. with a celebration of life service to follow at 11 a.m. at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel and burial will follow with fire honors at Woodland Cemetery, Woodland, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions to be made to the Woodland Volunteer Fire Department in memory of Cleve Bowen.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service of Ahoskie is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements for the Bowen Family. Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.garrettsykesfs.com.