Sidney Guy “Sam” Bowen
February 1, 1945- January 23, 2021
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Sidney Guy Bowen of Prince Frederick, Maryland entered eternal rest on January 23, 2021. He was born in Prince Frederick, Maryland and was the son of the late J. Ellis Bowen, Sr. and Ruth (Asbury) Bowen. Sam was preceded in death by his first wife, Darlene (Mazure) Bowen, his parents, and his devoted cocker spaniel, Pal. Sam fought the battle of traumatic brain injury or CTE. He often remarked, “this journey will lead me into the sunset of my life.” Sam was a 1963 graduate of Calvert High School, Prince Frederick, MD; a graduate of University of Maryland with a degree in horticulture; and a graduate of Strayer Business College. Following his graduation, he passionately pursued the art of floral design and achieved great honorable notoriety with the Floral Society of Calvert County. Sam believed that God called him to use his talents to educate, to bring joy, and to carry the message of God’s love through the artistry of his flowers. Sam was President and CEO of Bowen’s Florist and Gifts. He was a dedicated and compassionate businessman of Calvert County for forty-six years. Sam was totally committed to his loyal customers and always remembered them with kindness, perfectionism, and “personalized service.” He was well known in Prince Frederick for starting the teachers’ first day of school with the remembrance of a beautiful floral arrangement, a custom he carried out for forty-six years. One of the honors achieved in his professional career was the privilege of designing floral arrangements in the White House during Gerald Ford’s presidency. During his professional career, he was an active member of the Society of American Florists, many Maryland florist associations, and the President of the Northeast division. Sam served as a General Clerk in the Army National Guard. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he served as President of the Church Council for several years, a member of the church choir, served as Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee, and served on various other church committees. Sam loved the Lord with all his heart and soul, serving Him faithfully, living out that faith in everything he did. Sam began his Masonic journey as a youth member in DeMolay. He was a 52-year member of Prince Frederick Lodge No. 142, AF & AM; Member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Baltimore Valley; and Noble of Ali Ghan Shrine, Legion of Honor, Cumberland, Maryland. He was a 52-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star serving Marlboro Chapter No. 61. He was honored to serve as Worthy Patron numerous times, Deputy Grand Lecturer of the Grand Chapter for six years, Grand Representative, Australia and West Virginia. Sam was an honorary member of Oakland Chapter No. 67, Victory Chapter No. 40, and Grand Chapter of West Virginia, Order of the Eastern Star. Sam enjoyed being with his Eastern Star Sisters and Brothers, donating his talents at the annual Grand Session of the Grand Chapter of Maryland. His hobbies and special interests were many! Most of all, Sam loved to sing and to dance. He would often say, “I’m ready to go dancing and romancing.” He had a designer’s flare for fashion and immaculately dressed and embellished the current style. Sam is survived by his wife, Bette, who was the love of his life; one brother, James E. Bowen, Jr. and wife, Patricia. Sam is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many loving friends. In his memory, Sam has requested that donations be given to Fido’s for Freedom and the Shriners Hospital for Children.
An Eastern Star Service will take place in the Trinity United Methodist Church Gathering Room on Tuesday February 9, 2021 at 1:15 P.M. , followed by a Masonic Service, also in the Gathering Room. The Memorial Service at 2:00 P.M. in the sanctuary of the church will be live-streamed on the church website for those unable to attend in person.
Visitation
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Services
- Memorial Service
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
2:00 PM
Interment
Contributions
Fidos for Freedom
1200 Sandy Spring Road
Laurel, MD 20707
Link:
https://fidosforfreedom.networkforgood.com/projects/66064-fidos-for-freedom-inc
Shriners Hospital for Children
3557 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Link:
https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/philadelphia
Condolences
Sort Comments
26 Jan 2021
9:50am
Did business with Sam for many years. Took care of his vans at the shop, and bought all my flowers from him. Nice guy. RIP.
City
PRINCE FREDERICK
State
Maryland
26 Jan 2021
10:45am
Sammy was a beloved member of the Class of ’63 from CCHS.He was a Class Favorite in our yearbook Best Dancer.He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.RIP my dear friend.
City
North Beach
State
MD
26 Jan 2021
11:22am
Bette, my heart goes out to you. Sam graduated from high school with my sister, Eva “Nickie” Grover. She considered him one of her dearest friends. An enduring memory is the night when she was visiting Calvert County, perhaps for a class reunion, that she was very late returning to my house where she was staying. It turns out she and Sam had spent hours pouring their hearts out to one another. Their relationship became a treasured connection for me. He prepared the funeral arrangements for my husband’s funeral—another enduring memory. God’s peace to you. There are no words adequate…
City
Lusby
State
Maryland
17 Feb 2021
2:04am
Ruth Alice,
Sammy held Nickie in high regard and considered her to be a dear friend. He shared many stories of the escapades together! Thank you for the special remembrance.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
26 Jan 2021
5:35pm
I met Sammy as a young man in 1979, when I joined the celestial choir at Trinity United Methodist church. Sammy was a member of the powerful bass section, into which I was introduced. As a new member, took me under his wing and helped me attempt to read music. I loved Sammy as a man of genuine belief and a caring and loving personality. His mission from God was fulfilled here on earth and now he is redeeming his heavenly reward. Rest in peace Sammy and thank you for being part of my life.
City
Prince Frederick
State
Maryland
27 Jan 2021
6:53pm
Dear Jimmy, Pat and Family, We are sorry for your loss. Sammy was very talented. Enjoyed his company very much. What a great voice he had. He will be missed. Love Lucretia and Pete
City
Huntingtown
State
MD
27 Jan 2021
9:56pm
Dear Bette, I am truly sorry to hear about Sam’s passing. He was one of the sweetest, nicest men I have ever met. I always enjoyed seeing you both together, you could see the great love he had for you Bette. My deepest condolences to you. I am keeping you in my thoughts & prayers. Love, Cindy Strakal
City
Martinsburg
State
Wv
28 Jan 2021
10:18pm
I grew up with Sam at Dares Beach and I have a lot of memories of those days. He was always in the High School talent shows doing hilarious skits and we always thought he would go on the stage someday. When he opened his shop,I was an immediate customer and dealt with him for flowers until the shop closed. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could always make us laugh. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers to his family at this sad time.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
31 Jan 2021
4:10pm
Dear Bette, Pat, Jimmy, and friends of Uncle Sammy,
Uncle Sammy was a fixture in my life growing up. Going “down the country” as we used to call it, introduced me to a whole other life than what I experienced every day in the suburbs of Baltimore and Annapolis. Together, he and my Aunt Darlene (Auntie) introduced me to a quieter country life, generous hospitality, and a love of theater. With them, there was always some grand surprise waiting around the corner to be revealed. Their philosophy was that you could make anything fun if you didn’t take yourself too seriously. They were both hard workers and dedicated to their professions of teaching and owning a small floral design business. We still have flowers at every celebration, large and small, because that’s the way that Uncle Sammy would have done it. His warmth and welcoming way always meant that he had time to listen to you, and to do something to make you feel special. I remember many a visits across the field to “the shop” where I was allowed to select a single flower from the refrigerator after having chased all the cats in the building. I remember delicious dinners in the dining room of the old house, listening to the stories from Mr. and Mrs. Bowen (Ellis and Ruth) of the happenings in Calvert County and Dares Beach. They always contained Mrs. Bowen’s amazing oyster dressing and some new dessert my aunt made from Southern Living. And the numerous Christmas Eves with midnight meals AFTER the midnight service where Uncle Sammy sang in the choir, and then got up early the next morning to go to breakfast with Jimmy and his family. It was so hard to wait for them to get home so that we could open the presents! Those memories created traditions that I carry on to this day – with every flower arrangement, every “over the top” Christmas morning, and every big welcoming party where we throw open the doors and say “Come on in!” Forever in our hearts Uncle Sammy.
City
Iowa City
State
Maryland
31 Jan 2021
6:17pm
Sincere condolences to Sammy’s family. I knew Sammy back in the 60’s & 70’s. He was always a kind and caring person and fun to be around. Sad to see him gone.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
3 Feb 2021
8:02pm
To my neighbor – Our family is keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. Deepest sympathies, Martha Mackall & The Girls
City
Huntingtown
State
Maryland
10 Feb 2021
10:27am
Was a wonderful friend. We had many great times together. I will miss knowing he is no longer here, but will be happy knowing he is with God. Good by dear friend until we meet again. RIP Love Shirley
City
Harrison
State
Arkansas
17 Feb 2021
1:59am
Thank you, Shirley, for your remembrance.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
Sort Comments
Did business with Sam for many years. Took care of his vans at the shop, and bought all my flowers from him. Nice guy. RIP.
Sammy was a beloved member of the Class of ’63 from CCHS.He was a Class Favorite in our yearbook Best Dancer.He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.RIP my dear friend.
Bette, my heart goes out to you. Sam graduated from high school with my sister, Eva “Nickie” Grover. She considered him one of her dearest friends. An enduring memory is the night when she was visiting Calvert County, perhaps for a class reunion, that she was very late returning to my house where she was staying. It turns out she and Sam had spent hours pouring their hearts out to one another. Their relationship became a treasured connection for me. He prepared the funeral arrangements for my husband’s funeral—another enduring memory. God’s peace to you. There are no words adequate…
Ruth Alice,
Sammy held Nickie in high regard and considered her to be a dear friend. He shared many stories of the escapades together! Thank you for the special remembrance.
I met Sammy as a young man in 1979, when I joined the celestial choir at Trinity United Methodist church. Sammy was a member of the powerful bass section, into which I was introduced. As a new member, took me under his wing and helped me attempt to read music. I loved Sammy as a man of genuine belief and a caring and loving personality. His mission from God was fulfilled here on earth and now he is redeeming his heavenly reward. Rest in peace Sammy and thank you for being part of my life.
Dear Jimmy, Pat and Family, We are sorry for your loss. Sammy was very talented. Enjoyed his company very much. What a great voice he had. He will be missed. Love Lucretia and Pete
Dear Bette, I am truly sorry to hear about Sam’s passing. He was one of the sweetest, nicest men I have ever met. I always enjoyed seeing you both together, you could see the great love he had for you Bette. My deepest condolences to you. I am keeping you in my thoughts & prayers. Love, Cindy Strakal
I grew up with Sam at Dares Beach and I have a lot of memories of those days. He was always in the High School talent shows doing hilarious skits and we always thought he would go on the stage someday. When he opened his shop,I was an immediate customer and dealt with him for flowers until the shop closed. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could always make us laugh. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers to his family at this sad time.
Dear Bette, Pat, Jimmy, and friends of Uncle Sammy,
Uncle Sammy was a fixture in my life growing up. Going “down the country” as we used to call it, introduced me to a whole other life than what I experienced every day in the suburbs of Baltimore and Annapolis. Together, he and my Aunt Darlene (Auntie) introduced me to a quieter country life, generous hospitality, and a love of theater. With them, there was always some grand surprise waiting around the corner to be revealed. Their philosophy was that you could make anything fun if you didn’t take yourself too seriously. They were both hard workers and dedicated to their professions of teaching and owning a small floral design business. We still have flowers at every celebration, large and small, because that’s the way that Uncle Sammy would have done it. His warmth and welcoming way always meant that he had time to listen to you, and to do something to make you feel special. I remember many a visits across the field to “the shop” where I was allowed to select a single flower from the refrigerator after having chased all the cats in the building. I remember delicious dinners in the dining room of the old house, listening to the stories from Mr. and Mrs. Bowen (Ellis and Ruth) of the happenings in Calvert County and Dares Beach. They always contained Mrs. Bowen’s amazing oyster dressing and some new dessert my aunt made from Southern Living. And the numerous Christmas Eves with midnight meals AFTER the midnight service where Uncle Sammy sang in the choir, and then got up early the next morning to go to breakfast with Jimmy and his family. It was so hard to wait for them to get home so that we could open the presents! Those memories created traditions that I carry on to this day – with every flower arrangement, every “over the top” Christmas morning, and every big welcoming party where we throw open the doors and say “Come on in!” Forever in our hearts Uncle Sammy.
Sincere condolences to Sammy’s family. I knew Sammy back in the 60’s & 70’s. He was always a kind and caring person and fun to be around. Sad to see him gone.
To my neighbor – Our family is keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. Deepest sympathies, Martha Mackall & The Girls
Was a wonderful friend. We had many great times together. I will miss knowing he is no longer here, but will be happy knowing he is with God. Good by dear friend until we meet again. RIP Love Shirley
Thank you, Shirley, for your remembrance.