The Rev. Archie Bowser

The Rev. Archie Bowser, 83, of Jonesborough, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 19, 2015 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Born in Greene County, TN on May 14, 1932, a son of the late David Monroe and Mary C. Gragg Crenshaw Bowser, he had resided in this area most of his life.

Rev. Bowser was a member of Friendship Freewill Baptist Church for 35 years. In those years he served as Preacher, Sunday School Superintendent and Song Leader.

He retired from the Kingsport Foundry after 25 years of service.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Corey Garland of Ameydisys Hospice and the Forth Floor Nursing Staff of Johnson City Medical Center.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife of 29 years, Emma Debby Holland Bowser; his son's, Donald Ray Bowser and Donnie Whitaker; his daughter, Norma Jean Whitaker; his sisters and their spouses, Vernie (Hugh) Smith, Ruth (Cleve) Penley, Lucille (Carson) Penley and Rosella (Guy) Roberts: his brothers and their spouses, Frank (Lulu) Gragg, Powell (Martha) Gragg, Mack (Grace) Gragg, John (Belle) Crenshaw, Joe Dee Crenshaw, James (Stella) Bowser, and Guy (Mary) Bowser; three sons-in-law, Raymond Sherfey, Donnie Dykes and Duane Rector; two grandchildren, Danny Whitaker and Justin Whitaker; and one great-grandson, Bradley Dykes.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 35 years, Mattie Ellen Whitaker Bowser; his sons and their wives, Rickie S. and Sue Bowser, Berthil and Karen Bowser, Sam and Tasha Bowser, Stanley and Vicky Whitaker, Ronnie and Rose Mary Whitaker; his daughters and their husbands, Rosella Sherfey, Barbara Rector, Nadine and Jim Beck, Martha Dykes Penley and Clint Penley, and Gladys Inscore and Jerry; 35 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5-8:00 pm on Monday, June 22, 2015, at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home Fall Branch and at other hours at the residence.

The funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Fall Branch with Rev. Rickie Bowser, Rev. Bob Simpson and Rev. Rex Miller officiating. Music will be provided by Roy and Sissy Morelock and The Sounds of Victory. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Jonesborough.

Pallbearers will be Bud Holland, Slick Light, Billy McAmis, Jim Simpson, Roger Britton, Eddie Massingill, Richard Smoot, Neil Johnson, Mark Beck and Eric Bowser.