Bobby Eugene Bowman
October 12, 1936 — January 12, 2025
On Sunday January 12, 2025, Bobby Eugene Bowman, 88, of Conway was called home. He was born in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas on October 17, 1936 to Rufus Lester Bowman & Lola Casteel Bowman.
Bobby served in the US Navy for 19 years. As a veteran of the Vietnam war, he provided medical aid to numerous soldiers and moved all over the United States. While serving, Bobby married his wife, Ruth (1955), and had three children Blenda, Gary and Lisa. Upon retirement from the navy, Bobby pastored churches in California, Florida, Tennessee, and Arkansas. In 1976, Bobby and his wife, answered the calling to be missionaries in Honduras. While serving in Honduras for 20 years, they planted nine churches, created and ran a hospital, expanded an orphanage, and adopted their fourth child, Thomas “Tommy”. Bobby left the mission field in 1995, then founded and served as director of Baptist Medical Missions International (BMMI). He was also instrumental in the formation of Evangelical International Ministries (EIM) and Water for Christ. From 2002-2005, he served as the editor for the Baptist Trumpet. Throughout the years he traveled the globe planting churches, delivering medical care, sharing the gospel, providing water to remote areas, and leading countless lives to Christ. He was an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Greenbrier, AR.
Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Lola Bowman. His brothers Ray Bowman and James Bowman, and his sisters Sue Peterson and Aquila Bowman. His daughter-in-law, Robin Leigh Bowman and granddaughter Emily Bowman. He will be welcomed into heaven by countless fellow pastors, brothers and sisters of Christ.
Bobby is survived by his wife of 69 years, Leta “Ruth” Bowman (Conway) and his four children, Blenda (Dwight) Smith of Potts Camp, MS, Gary Bowman of Greenbrier, Lisa (David) Martin of Conway, and Tommy (Casey) Bowman of Greenbrier. He leaves behind ten grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Numerous children, family or not, knew Bobby as “Papa” and he loved them all as his own.
A celebration of life for Bobby to be announced at a later date. In leu of flowers, his family has chosen three organizations dear to Bobby and Ruth’s heart for donations. Water for Christ (240 Skyline Drive #204 Conway, AR 72034), Baptist Medical Missions International (PO Box 878 Conway, AR 72033), and The Baptist Trumpet (P.O. Box 192208, Little Rock, AR 72209)
Bobby served in the US Navy for 19 years. As a veteran of the Vietnam war, he provided medical aid to numerous soldiers and moved all over the United States. While serving, Bobby married his wife, Ruth (1955), and had three children Blenda, Gary and Lisa. Upon retirement from the navy, Bobby pastored churches in California, Florida, Tennessee, and Arkansas. In 1976, Bobby and his wife, answered the calling to be missionaries in Honduras. While serving in Honduras for 20 years, they planted nine churches, created and ran a hospital, expanded an orphanage, and adopted their fourth child, Thomas “Tommy”. Bobby left the mission field in 1995, then founded and served as director of Baptist Medical Missions International (BMMI). He was also instrumental in the formation of Evangelical International Ministries (EIM) and Water for Christ. From 2002-2005, he served as the editor for the Baptist Trumpet. Throughout the years he traveled the globe planting churches, delivering medical care, sharing the gospel, providing water to remote areas, and leading countless lives to Christ. He was an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Greenbrier, AR.
Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Lola Bowman. His brothers Ray Bowman and James Bowman, and his sisters Sue Peterson and Aquila Bowman. His daughter-in-law, Robin Leigh Bowman and granddaughter Emily Bowman. He will be welcomed into heaven by countless fellow pastors, brothers and sisters of Christ.
Bobby is survived by his wife of 69 years, Leta “Ruth” Bowman (Conway) and his four children, Blenda (Dwight) Smith of Potts Camp, MS, Gary Bowman of Greenbrier, Lisa (David) Martin of Conway, and Tommy (Casey) Bowman of Greenbrier. He leaves behind ten grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Numerous children, family or not, knew Bobby as “Papa” and he loved them all as his own.
A celebration of life for Bobby to be announced at a later date. In leu of flowers, his family has chosen three organizations dear to Bobby and Ruth’s heart for donations. Water for Christ (240 Skyline Drive #204 Conway, AR 72034), Baptist Medical Missions International (PO Box 878 Conway, AR 72033), and The Baptist Trumpet (P.O. Box 192208, Little Rock, AR 72209)
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