Ronceverte-Lester Earl Bowden, Sr., 80, passed away Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, at Kanawha Hospice House in Fairlea.
Lester was born May 13, 1939, in Ronceverte to the late Earl William and Lena Mae Sams Bowden.
Lester was a self-taught guitar player and leader of the West Virginia Bluegrass Connection. They received several awards through the years. In 1994, they received an Achievement Award for Outstanding Performance at the Virginia State Fair. In 1998, they received the Distinguished West Virginia Award from Governor Cecil Underwood. They opened and performed with several singers such as Alison Krauss and Union Station, Del McCoury, Seldom Scene, Johnny Paycheck, The Whites, The Lewis Family, Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, Charley Waller and The Country Gentleman, Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe. Lester retired from B.A. Mulligan as a Boiler Operator Supervisor after 37 years of service.
Other than his parents, Lester was preceded in death by sister, Artie Rose Bowden and brother, Douglas McArthur Bowden.
Survivors include his loving wife, Elizabeth Bowden (Mrs. Boo) of Ronceverte; daughters, Drema Persinger and husband Curtis of Caldwell, Melissa Tincher of Caldwell and Rebecca Gibson and husband Michael of Buchanan, VA; sons, Lester Bowden, Jr. and wife Angie of Lewisburg and Christopher Bowden and wife Karen of Pickaway; grandchildren, Curtis Persinger and wife Becky, Lindsey Windon and husband Justin, Ezra Tincher, III, Joshua Tincher, Gabriel Gibson, Gabrielle Gibson, Karissa Bowden, and Kassidy Bowden; great-grandchildren, Ellie Persinger, Mollie Persinger, Hunter Windon and Hadley Windon; and his dog, Mr. McGee.
The funeral service was held on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Ronceverte where Pastor Wes Comer officiated. Burial was in the Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery.
Friends called prior to the service at the funeral home.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com