Octavia (McClain) Bowman

Evangelist Octavia (nee’ McClain) Bowman, 88 of Benton Harbor, MI, departed this life on Saturday, September 4, 2021, after a short illness.

Octavia McClain, affectionately called “Tavie” was born to Walter and Maggie McClain on March 10, 1933, in Kosciusko, MS, the youngest of 4 children.  She relocated with her family at 11 years of age to Benton Harbor.  At the age of 21, Octavia gave her life to the Lord, was baptized in Jesus' Name, and received the Holy Ghost under the leadership of the late Pastor W.H. Hunter at Bethlehem Temple Church.  While there she faithfully served as a choir member and choir president.  

“Tavie” met and married her only love, Bosie Bowman, Jr. on August 31, 1957.  To this union were born seven children, Minister Angela (Lonnie) Davis, Iris (Bruce) Watts, Barry (Christie) Bowman, Jonathan (Keisha) Bowman, Dwight (Carolyn) Bowman, Charlotte (Earsker) Hawkins, and Kent (Natasha) Bowman.  Bosie and Tavie have 14 beautiful grandchildren and three great-grandchildren of whom she was very proud and who affectionally call her “Grams”.  She loved them dearly and took every opportunity to spend time with them.  

In approximately 1968, Evang. Octavia accepted the divine call into the ministry.  In 1971 she was a founding member and appointed as Assistant Pastor to her sister, the late Pastor Ella M. Mobley of Full Gospel Tabernacle.  She faithfully served at Full Gospel Tabernacle (the church she named) and later becoming the first lady of Greater Faith Apostolic Church under the leadership of her husband, Pastor Bosie Bowman, Jr. until his passing in 2002.  

Her multifaceted ministry encompassed the roles of dynamic preacher, Sunday School teacher, diligent altar worker, prayer intercessor, and church driver. She is mostly known for being an encourager and an inspiration to all she encountered.  As a result, many have achieved college educations, successful careers, have authored books, started ministries, and even learned to eat vegetables.  She was a quick-witted, nurturing, good historian, a counselor and shared her wealth of life experiences to support others during challenging times.  

Her career path included attendance at Lake Michigan College where she was educated in secretarial studies.  She held numerous positions in education, retail, finance, and health care.  Her life was enhanced by numerous friends, relatives, and church members.  She routinely enjoyed phone calls from all over the country including Alaska, New York, Texas, and California.
She leaves to mourn her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Lillie Isom, Ida Campbell, and Bessie Isom.  She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, and siblings, Moses Dickens, King Solomon Dickens, and Ella Mary Mobley.

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