C. Ray Bowling

C. Ray Bowling, of Richlands, Virginia, passed away on October 22, 2024 following an eight-month battle with Glioblastoma. Ray was born January 4, 1951, in the former Bailey Hospital in Rural Retreat, Virginia, and was the son of the late Chester C. and Nina Kate Blair Bowling. He graduated from Rural Retreat High School as Class Valedictorian in 1969. Ray was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and friend. He left a memorable impression on everyone he met and was influential in the lives of so many who benefitted from his kindness and sense of humor. He was a member of the Richlands First Methodist Church serving in various positions over four decades. Ray was a career banker, having worked in the industry for over 40 years after graduating from Virginia Tech in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. He began his career with Dominion Bank for 22 years, thereafter, working with various community financial institutions including Miners & Merchants Bank, First Sentinel Bank, and New Peoples Bank. During his career he mentored many and was an advocate for all employees and customers. Although his career was in banking, Ray had a love of trains, construction, and coal mining. To that end, he obtained a degree in Mining Technology; held a CDL license; and transitioned into retirement by working with a mining and pipeline repair company. Some of his favorite times were driving bulldozers and discussing mining technology with those employed in the industry. Ray is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, S. Darlene Bowling of Richlands; beloved daughter Rebekah Blair Bowling (Andrew Chen) of West Hollywood, California; grandson Calvin Bowling Chen; sister Joyce Bowling Sink (Charles) of Blacksburg, Virginia; brother Jeffrey Bowling of Blacksburg, Virginia; and cousins, colleagues, and friends too numerous to mention individually. The family also wishes to extend sincere thanks to Interim Home Health Services of Cedar Bluff, as well as Legacy Hospice and Palliative Care for their exceptional care and consideration. Funeral services for C. Ray Bowling will be conducted Monday, October 28, 2024 at 2pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel, 1401 2nd Street. Richlands, Virginia, with the Rev. Devin Schultz and Rev. Betzy Elifrits Warren officiating. Entombment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens, 11800 Gov G C Peery Hwy, Cedar Bluff, Virginia 24609. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 12pm until 2pm on Monday prior to the funeral. Contributions in Ray’s memory may be made to Richlands First Methodist Church (402 Suffolk Avenue, Richlands, VA 24641); The Glioblastoma Foundation (PO Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715 Email: info@glioblastomafoundation.org); or a charity of choice that holds personal significance to the contributor. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

C. Ray Bowling

January 4, 1951 - October 22, 2024