Royce Jennings Bowlan

Mr. Royce Jennings Bowlan, 76, a resident of Brantley, Alabama, passed away peacefully in his home while surrounded by his family on Friday, May 19th, 2023. Funeral services for Royce will be held at 11 AM on Monday, May 22nd, at Cameron Chapel Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Penn officiating. Interment will follow in Cameron Chapel Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday for one hour prior to the service.

Royce was a character who never failed to entertain his family and friends! He had a great sense of humor which tempered his strong-willed and forthright personality. He was a gregarious soul who never failed make friends wherever he went, and those who knew him best could depend on him always being honest with them. His family considered him a jack of all trades as there was very little he couldn't do when he set his mind to it. He was a long haul truck driver through much of his life, but he also displayed quite the proficiency as both a mechanic and electrician. His age never deterred him from playing with new technologies (perhaps inspired from his love of Star Trek), so he was skilled with a computer and he even dabbled in photography over the years.

In his free time, Royce enjoyed taking his Honda Goldwing out, as well as other motorcycles. That joy was tied into his deep and abiding love for practically anything that kept him in the great outdoors. He took great pride in his gardens and was always on the lookout for a good fishing hole. Even something as simple as birdwatching brought tremendous joy to his life. One of his favorite activities was taking his family camping because, at heart, nothing meant more to him than them. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who truly cherished them all. No matter where he was for work, they could be certain that he was going to be home by the weekend, come hell or high water! His heart was full from his love for both his family and dear friends, and he was just as loved in return. Words cannot express how much he will be missed by all of them, but they will find comfort in the wonderful memories they made over the years.

Royce was preceded in death by his son, Roman Bowlan; parents, Walter & Kathlene Sorrells Bowlan; and brother, Donnie Bowlan. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Shirley Bolding Bowlan; their children, Sherry (Kalup Lewis) Bolding, Mitchell (Martha) Bowlan, Sandra (Marcus) Cook, Samuel (Kamelia) Bowlan, James "Bubba" (Jessica) Bowlan, and Jennifer (Scott) Penn; grandchildren, Shawn Bolding, Linsley Bowlan, Brett Bowlan, Miranda Wolfe, Brittany Wolfe, Hailey Bowlan, Hannah Bowlan, Brooklyn Bowlan, Presley Bowlan, Jackson Bowlan, Kimberly (Darian) Jones, and Rebecca Penn; nine great-grandchildren; and siblings, Lamar Bowlan and Dorothy Bowlan.

Active pallbearers will be Shawn Bolding, Kalup Lewis, Michael Bowlan, David Bolding, James Bolding, and Jamie Bowlan.