Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada for Mr. James Michael Bowles, 67, of Grenada, who died on Saturday, Jan. 28, in Jackson. Burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley. Dr. Brent Barker, the Rev. Eugene Heimbach and the Rev. Barry Worrell officiated. The family received friends from noon until service time on Friday, Feb. 3, at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Mike was born Sept. 7, 1955, in Water Valley, the son of Jim and Clara Foster Bowles. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University and worked for many years as a registered forester. A member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, he had served as a deacon and was faithful to serve as a greeter most Sunday mornings. Mike never met a stranger. He would know everything about you after a short visit.
Mike loved to cook for others – smoking brisket, ribs and bologna for big gatherings. He and Waymon Scarberry cooked for several weeks for Hurricane Katrina victims. He always said this was his mission field. Mike also enjoyed cooking for his church family and the MSU football team for years. Before his illness, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and going to Mississippi State football games. He always said that God blessed him and his wife, Carolyn, with the best children and grandchildren. Family was his pride and joy.
Survivors include, his wife, Carolyn Bowles; daughter, Cathy Bowles Eady (Chris) of Starkville; sons, Anthony Bowles (Katie) of Woodbury, Tenn., and Mark Bowles (Becca) of Carrollton; parents, Jim and Clara Bowles of Water Valley; brother, Tony Bowles (Linda) of Tyler, Texas; eight grandchildren, Eli Turner, Andrew Bowles, Lily Kate Bowles, Amelia Bowles, Simon Bowles, Zeb Eady, Apphia Eady and Luke Bowles and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Frank Burke, Ken Cline, Tommy Henderson, Steven Shinall, Troy Stephenson and Larry Tate.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
