Obituaries

Allen F. Bowden
  Rev. Allen F. Bowden, 78, died in his home, 1815 Vine street this morning (March 24, 1938) at 10:30 o'clock. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2:30 in Central Methodist church by Rev. D.A. Chisholm, pastor. Burial will be in Greenleaf cemetery with Austin-Morris Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
  Rev. Mr. Bowden was born in November 17, 1859, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and came to Brown county in 1889. He was ordained as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church South at an early age and was pastor of a number of churches in this section. He taught school in several rural communities of Brown county. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
  He is survived by his wife and the following children: M.W. Bowden, Brownwood; E.H. Bowden, San Angelo; Mrs. D.C. Claitor, Temple; Mrs. J.H. Ferris, Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. B.F. Alford, Ingleside; Mrs. E.W. Jackson, Houston; Glenn Bowden, Brownwood; Burl Bowden, Refugio; and Carroll Bowden, Ingleside. Two Brothers, Marvin Tilden Bowden, Brownwood, and W.J. Bowden, Abilene; and two sisters, Mrs. P.V. Gibson (Anna), Amarillo, and Mrs. Ida Green, Wheeler, also survive.
Elizabeth Bowden
Brownwood Bulletin February 27, 1919
  Mrs. Elizabeth Bowden died Wednesday (February 26, 1919) at 12 o'clock following a prolonged illness.
  The remains were shipped to Rising Star where interment took place at one o'clock today.
  Mrs. (Didama) Elizabeth Nowlin Bowden was born July 6, 1838 in Bedford county, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Nowlin, who made their home in Tennessee until 1870 when they moved to Moreland, Arkansas. On June 17, 1858, she was married to W. S. (William Sebastian) Bowden of Arkansas. About twenty years ago they moved to Texas, locating in Brown county. About three years ago Mr. Bowden died in Rising Star and Mrs. Bowden moved to Brownwood to make her home with her son, A. F. Bowden and family, where she died yesterday. She was a devout member of the Methodist church and when her health would permit was a regular church attendant. She was a sweet Christian character and one who was ready to face her Master. She leaves two daughters, and four sons and a large number of grandchildren to mourn her loss. The children are Mrs. J. N. Green of Amarillo, Mrs. P. V. Gibson of Amarillo, W. J. Bowden of Eastland, M. T. Bowden, W. C. Bowden and A. F. Bowden of Brownwood.
Marvin Tilden Bowden
  Marvin T. Bowden, 71, Buried Last Week in Brownwood Cemetery.
  Final rites were read for Marvin T. Bowden, 71, who had been a resident of this county (Erath) for the past six years , on Thursday of last week at the First Methodist Church, Stephenville. Rev. John Wesley Ford officiated at the service.
  The Brownwood chapter of IOOF Lodge had charge of burial in the Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood.
  Marvin Bowden, son of Didama Elizabeth Nowlin and William Sebastian Bowden was born December 12, 1876, in Polk County Arkansas. He came to Texas in 1906 and settled in Brown County. He married Lora Day Routh and to this couple two children were born.
  He was a member of the Methodist church since childhood and was affiliated with the local IOOF. His name is among those on the cornerstone in the Johnson Memorial Methodist Church building in Brownwood.
  A retired furniture dealer, Bowden is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. John Ficke of Stephenville, and two sisters, Mrs. P. V. Gibson of Amarillo and Mrs. G. N. Green of Shamrock.
  The Stephenville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
  Relatives and friends from out-of-town who attended the funeral of M. T. Bowden, last week included Mrs. A. F. Bowden, Glenn Bowden, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bowden, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Barror, all of Brownwood, Mrs. Dave Claitor of Temple, Mrs. P. V. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gibson of Amarillo, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Routh and daughter of Cement, Oklahoma, Mrs. J. M. Gilliam of Cyril, Oklahoma, Mrs. Genie Bowden and Mrs. Sam Steele of Fort Worth, E. M. Routh, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Teague and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Faulkner of Blanket.
William J. Bowden
  Word has been received here of the death of W.J. Bowden, 71 year-old retired furniture dealer who died in Abilene June 1941 and was buried there Friday.
  He was born Jan. 4, 1870 in Tennessee, moved to Brown county at the age of 21, lived from 1918 to 1923 in Eastland and in Abilene since.
  Survivors are his wife and four children; a brother Marvin Tilden Bowden of Brownwood, and two sisters.
William S. Bowden Gone to His Reward
  April 2, 1914 there passed from the earthly works of life, at Rising Star, Texas. A true and tried citizen, whose integrity and Christian life was never questioned. He was born in Lawrence County Tenn., in 1837, lived there to manhood, when he came to Pope Co. Ark., before the Civil War. He entered the army at Fort Smith, Ark. July, 1862. Belonged to Company H. under Captain Peeler, Kings Regiment Fgaan's Brigade division. Served first under General Windmon, next under General Holmes, and when the war closed was under General Price. Soon after the war he moved back to Tenn. and remained until 1870, when he moved back to Pope Co., Ark. Located near Bowden Chapel where he served as S.S. Supt. 18 years in succession. He was a subscriber to the first paper published in Russellville, Ark. He moved to Brown Co., Texas in 1890 and remained most of the time since, till death claimed him for his victim, at Rising Star, where he has lived near two years.
  W.S. Bowden was a man of strong convictions, resolute in his purposes, and his aim was to seek correct information on all subjects of vital interest to humanity. Tenderness and sympathy were shown in every day life, and he was solicitous in regard to the welfare of others. He was an active member of the Methodist Church most of his life, and was often heard to pray for his children, grand children, neighbors, and our rulers in state and church.
  He always acknowledged his faults, and confessed when necessary. Many loved ones look through their tears, and beyond the silent tomb to the happy day when we shall meet again, never to say good-by. He leaves his aged companion, seven children, and several grand children to mourn their loss. Let us be faithful and true to God, and in just a little while all can meet again in the sweet beyond.
  He was laid to rest Friday evening in the Rising Star cemetery, under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity, of which he was a member. One who knew him over half a century.
Winston C. Bowden Funeral Friday Morning At Broaddus Home
Brownwood Bulletin, May 23, 1925
  Rev. C. Q. Smith, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will be in charge of the services of Winston C. Bowden, 63 years of age, who died Wednesday morning at his residence on Greenleaf Street, following an automobile accident. The services will be at the home of I. L. Broaddus, 401 Congress Street, while the Masonic Lodge will be in charge at the grave in Greenleaf Cemetery.
  The services will be held at 10:00 o'clock Friday morning, it was announced this afternoon.
  Active pallbearers are as follows: W. J. O'Dell, J. R. Kendall, E. J. Miller, V. E. Wood, George Kidd, and D. S. Camp.
  Honorary pallbearers are Chas. M. Ratliff, O. L. Plyer, John Flowers, Will Talbot, James Ming, W. A. Bell, Brooke Smith, Sr., Burt Norwood, John Yantis, Ben Shropshire, Sid Oxford, Lee Roberts, Henry Wilson, Joe Gilliam, L. L. Mallow, P. A. Glanville, Fred Abney, Fred McCulley, Dr. A. L. Taylor, Dr. Joe Dildy, C. M. Carpenter, Roy Sims, Jim McCulley, R. B. Rogers, M. Romines, and Ralph Kingston.
Marvin Tilden Bowden
  Marvin T. Bowden, 71, Buried Last Week in Brownwood Cemetery
  Final rites were read for Marvin T. Bowden, 71, who had been a resident of this county (Erath) for the past six years , on Thursday of last week at the First Methodist Church, Stephenville. Rev. John Wesley Ford officiated at the service.
  The Brownwood chapter of IOOF Lodge had charge of burial in the Greenleaf Cemetery in Brownwood.
  Marvin Bowden, son of Didama Elizabeth Nowlin and William Sebastian Bowden was born December 12, 1876, in Polk County Arkansas. He came to Texas in 1906 and settled in Brown County. He married Lora Day Routh and to this couple two children were born.
  He was a member of the Methodist church since childhood and was affiliated with the local IOOF. His name is among those on the cornerstone in the Johnson Memorial Methodist Church building in Brownwood.
  A retired furniture dealer, Bowden is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. John Ficke of Stephenville, and two sisters, Mrs. P. V. Gibson of Amarillo and Mrs. G. N. Green of Shamrock.
  The Stephenville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
  Relatives and friends from out-of-town who attended the funeral of M. T. Bowden, last week included Mrs. A. F. Bowden, Glenn Bowden, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Bowden, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Barror, all of Brownwood, Mrs. Dave Claitor of Temple, Mrs. P. V. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gibson of Amarillo, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Routh and daughter of Cement, Oklahoma, Mrs. J. M. Gilliam of Cyril, Oklahoma, Mrs. Genie Bowden and Mrs. Sam Steele of Fort Worth, E. M. Routh, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Teague and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Faulkner of Blanket.
Dr. Hubert Owen Spraberry
The Brownwood Bulletin, Tuesday, May 13, 2002
Contributed by Shirley Cullum [deceased]
  Dr. Hubert Owen Spraberry, former Dean of the School of Business at Howard Payne University, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, at his home in Brownwood. He was 72. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Brownwood. Dr. Spraberry was born April 5, 1931 in Post to Hub and Arline Spraberry. Dr. Spraberry studied at seven colleges and universities in the United States, as well as at Cambridge University in Great Britain. He received five college degrees including a B.S. in agricultural economics from Texas Tech University, an M.S. in educational psychology from Pittsburg (Kansas) State University, a B.A .in history and language from the University of Maryland, an M.S. in industrial management from the University of North Dakota, and a Ph.D. in land-use planning management and design from Texas Tech. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1976 after 24 years of active duty. He spent most of his military career in missile operations and security police and had overseas assignments in Korea, England and Thailand. Dr. Spraberry taught at Texas Tech and at Wayland Baptist University before coming to Howard Payne University in 1986 as program coordinator for the School of Business. He served as Dean of the School of Business from 1987 until 1992 arid retired from the Howard Payne faculty in May 2002.
  He was a Southern Baptist and an active deacon of the First Baptist Church of Brownwood. He first became a deacon in 1956 at Barksdale Baptist Church, Bossier City, La.
  Dr. Spraberry was married for 52 years to Ollie (Teddy) Spraberry who survives him. Other survivors include two daughters, Sylvia Teague of Valencia, Calif., and Suzan Colvin of Lubbock, and one son, James Spraberry of Italy, Texas. He is also survived by one sister, Imogene Smith of Amarillo, and five grandchildren, Sean Teague of Valencia, Calif., Lindsey Colvin and Lauren Colvin of Lubbock, and Chelsea Spraberry of Italy.
  Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Brownwood at 2 p.m. Wednesday, followed by burial at Eastlawn Memorial Park. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Agnes Arline Spraberry Scholarship fund at Howard Payne University or to the First Baptist Church of Brownwood.