Obituary of Cleveland Bowden

Cleveland Bowden was born January 7, 1925, in Forrest City, Arkansas. He moved up North with his wife Gladys and oldest child in 1947. He settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and worked at Brown Company for 27 years until the death of his wife in 1974. After which, Mr. Bowden stayed home to raise his children. The family resided at 521 Harding Place and remained there long after his youngest child became an adult. This address became known as “Dads,” house. Whether you were related to him or not, he was my, yours, and everybody’s “Dad.” After taking his last breath in the presence of his children, at his daughter Dorothy’s house, who was his caregiver for more than 40 years, Cleveland went home to be with the Lord, his beautiful wife and family on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Cleveland was preceded in death by his wife Gladys; brothers Emmett, Edgar, Ernest, James and Edmond Overton; and brother, William Bowden and sister, Malinda Harris. He leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Ollie Canda; nine daughters, Louise Brown (Hooker), Dorothy Bowden, Ruby Dixon, Delores Bowden, Caroline Killingsworth, Virginia Bowden, Rachelle Bowden, Charlotte Truss (Terry), and Hattie Hoskins all of Kalamazoo; and four sons, Karam Shabazz (Hamidah), Donald Bowden (Pamela), Richard Bowden, and Irving Bowden. He is also survived by long-time companion and special friend Patricia Pritchard, as well as many grand, great, and great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.