Matthew Ray Bowles

Matthew Ray Bowles, 25, of Greensboro, formerly of Ellerbe, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in Greensboro. Matthew was born May 26, 1984 in Moore County, a son of Donald Bowles and Nancy Cheves Bowles. He had been a member of the Richmond County 4-H, a state officer with 4-H, and a member of the 4-H Honors honor society. He loved to Shag and had been in several Junior Shag competitions. Matthew was a graduate of Richmond Senior High School, Class of 2002, a member of All District Band and All State Band. He attended the University of North Carolina, Pembroke, and received his Bachelors Degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Matthew was a talented and gifted musician. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Greensboro, where he served as music director and had attended Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Ellerbe. Surviving are his parents, Nancy Cheves Bowles of Ellerbe, Donald Bowles of Mt. Gilead; grandmother, Catherine Bowles of Mt. Gilead, aunts and uncle, Linda Cheves of Ellerbe, Patricia Mabry and husband Terry of Ellerbe, David Bowles of Mt. Gilead; and special friends, Jeremy Powell, Ben Mercer and Jamie Campbell. A service to celebrate Matthew’s life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church with Rev. Donald Daniel officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will see friends from 5:30 – 7:30 pm Friday at Carter Funeral Home, Ellerbe and at other times at his mother's home, 577 Pleasant Hill Church Rd. Ellerbe. Memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Building Fund, c/o Margaret Spivey, 1322 Grassy Island Rd. Ellerbe, NC 28338 or to the American Cancer Society.