Lucious ‘Big Daddy’ Bowen, 87, of Roanoke, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 4, 2018.

He was born in Georgia, a son of the late Harris and Betty Giddens Bowen, and after a life of employment that took him to many parts of the country, settled in the Roanoke area over twenty years ago. He proudly served in the US Navy from 1948 thru 1952. Lucious enjoyed golf and traveling, and often stated that his most significant personal accomplishment was when he married his wife. In his professional career, he started in the grocery industry and built a chain of stores that grew from 8 million in revenue to 75 million in just seven years. He then joined in the recycling business and served as a regional manager prior to retiring. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Payton Bowen, and a son, Phil Bowen.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Annis Davis Bowen; two sons, Greg (Pam) Bowen and Keith Bowen; two daughters, Jean (Greg) Thomas and JoAnn Perry; eight grandchildren, Katie Bowen, Kelly Bowen, Melissa Bowen, Courtney (John) Riggs, Wendy (John) Razook, Ryan Cooper, Andrea (Chris) Landwehr and Michelle Peele; seven great-grandchildren, Dylan, Julio, Leighton, Peyton, Chase, Christian and Marissa; daughter-in-law, Karen Burke; a son-in-law, Joe Robinson; brother-in-law, Vernon Reese, and numerous nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Lyn, John, Teresa and Michelle of Medi Home Hospice for the love and care shown to them and Big Daddy.

Funeral services will be held at 2PM, Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Chapel of John M. Oakey & Son, Salem. Rev. John Thomas will officiate. Entombment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM, Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.