Rev. Charles Bowman, veteran preacher, dies at 80

CHARLES Thomas Bowman was a shy, retiring sort of guy - that is, until he climbed into the pulpit of his church.

"He was different when he preached," said his sister, Jeanette Ward. "The spirit was in him."

The Rev. Charles Bowman, onetime Philadelphia public-school teacher, a supervisor in the state Department of Public Assistance for more than 30 years and a leader in the Fire Baptized Holiness Church, died Sunday of complications from kidney disease. He was 80 and lived in Germantown.

"He was saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost in 1950 at the Fire Baptized Holiness Church in New York City," said his sister.

Shortly after that experience, he was called to the ministry. He attended the Zion Bible Institute in Chicago, and graduated with a degree in theology.

He preached at several churches in Philadelphia and South Jersey over the years, and was a leader in the church's Pennsylvania district.

Charles was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the last of the 10 children of Richard J. and Shellie J. Bowman. His father was a Fire Baptized Holiness Church elder.

When Charles moved to Philadelphia to live with his late sister, Bernice, he graduated from Northeast High School.

He went on to Wheaton College in East Providence, R.I., and graduated with a bachelor of science degree.

He taught English and history at public schools for a time, before going to the Public Assistance Department as a case worker. He advanced to supervisor before he retired in 1966.

He was editor and publisher of True Witness, the national publication of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church.

His sister is his only immediate survivor. Eight other siblings preceded him in death.

Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Gethsemane Fire Baptized Holiness Church, 2629 York St. Friends may call at 9 a.m.

Entombment will be in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia.