Gleason Douglas Bowles, 91, of Mile Branch passed away Thursday, April 16, 2020 at his residence.
Gleason was born September 3, 1928 in Wilmore, WV, a son of the late Luther Graham and Eula Blankenship Bowles.  He was a United States Army Veteran of WWII, a coal miner for 39 years, and the last surviving member of his original family. Gleason was an avid hunter and loved to be out in the mountains with his lifelong hunting buddy, Leonard Shirley; he was a member of the Two Rivers Conservation Club. Gleason loved four wheeling, singing and playing his guitar, sitting on his front porch swing, a good coon dog, and the many sweet treats from the ladies who spoiled him.  Gleason was a member of the Mile Branch Church of the Living God; serving the Lord was his greatest joy and he wanted everybody to go to Heaven with him.  Gleason’s best saying was “There are no bad days, just good days and better days.”
In addition to his parents Gleason was preceded in death by three sons, Mickey, Gerald, and Joey Bowles; two daughters, Marietha Bowles and Lynn Lowe; three brothers, Jessie, Jasper, and Cyres Bowles; and four sisters, Audrey Bowles, Myrtle Babe Fraley, Thelma Doll Walker and Ethel Clemmons..
Survivors include his loving wife Darlene Bowles of the home; children, Rhonda Poirier of Statesville, NC, Donna Holton of Mt. Airy, NC, Connie Lowe and husband Gary of Iaeger, Phillip Bowles and wife Kimberly of Statesville, NC and Wendy Martin and husband Michael of Olin, NC; eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; two special nephews, Jacob and Ronnie Bowles; the mother of eight of his children, Thelma Blankenship; numerous other children who fondly referred to him as Uncle, Pa, and Mayor; and a host of additional family and friends.
The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus for all their care.  
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, April 17, 2020 at 1 o’clock with Reverend Danny Bowles and Reverend John Wheeler officiating at the Mile Branch Church of the Living God parking lot in Mile Branch.  Burial will follow in the Bowles Cemetery at Mile Branch where military graveside rites will be conducted by the VFW post #1144.   Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. 
In following the CDC guide lines we ask that social distancing be observed.
Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com