Pearley "Gene" Bowling, 86, of Cannelton, formerly of Beards Fork, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 24, 2015. He was born Aug. 4, 1929 in Williamson and was the son of the late Floyd and Nora Edwards. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Steven.
He was a retired coal miner with 43 years of service and retired from Cannelton Coal Company. He was a member of Riverside Church of God and a veteran of the Army Air Force from 1946 to 1949. He was also a 43-year member of the UMWA and he was an avid gospel singer.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, the Rev. Phyllis Burford Bowling; children, Rocky Bowling and wife, Delphia, of Oklahoma City, Terry Bowling of Scranton, Pa., Steve Bowling and wife, Kay, of Branson, Mo., David Bowling of Beards Fork and Patrick Bowling and wife, Kathy, of Ghent; brother, Ray Bowling of Holly Grove; sisters, Bonnie Cook and Joan Vilago, both of Spring Hill, Fla.; grandsons, Obidiah, Israel, Gary, Shane and Joseph; granddaughter, Mary; and great-grandchildren, Luna, Hanoi, Caleb, Eden, Caitland, Kal and Tristan.
Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at O'Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery, with the Rev. Billy Morris and the Rev. Roger Comer officiating. Burial will follow in Montgomery Memorial Park, London, with military honors.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Riverside Church of God, Riverside, W.Va.