Charles Franklin “Charlie” Bowles, 83, of Russellville, died Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at University of Kentucky HealthCare System in Lexington. He was born on Sept, 21, 1942 to Charlie Franklin and Violet Faye Knight Bowles in Sullivan, Il. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Dolores Bowles Bilyeu.
Charlie was a special man who loved God and loved his family. He enjoyed making people laugh and sharing funny stories. He attended Lewisburg High School where his nickname was “Sugar” Bowles. He served six years with the Kentucky National Guard and worked 35 years with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Housing as a Deputy State Fire Marshal. After suffering a severe back injury in 2002, he was forced into early retirement. As a member of Crittenden Drive Church of Christ for more than 55 years, Charlie loved his church family. who remained loyal to him throughout the time when he was ill and unable to attend services.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jeannie Leedom Bowles; his son, David Bowles, wife Catherine and daughter Riley of Maryville, Tenn.; and his daughter, Jamie Bowles Knight, husband Brian, and daughter Ellie of Lexington.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at Summers and Son Funeral Home with Scott Harp officiating with burial to follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home will be held from 11 a.m. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Turtle Fund at Crittenden Drive Church of Christ which was named in honor of his best friend, the late Donald “Turtle” Boyles, to provide scholarships for youth to attend church camp.
The Turtle Fund, Crittenden Drive Church of Christ. PO Box 262 Russellville, KY 42276
Pallbearers: Kevin White, Marlin Coe, Darrel White, Travis Davenport, Brian Stratton and Billy McCarley
Honorary Pallbearers: Jeff Rafferty, Bobby Webb, Stanley Knight, Rob Sindorf, Jim Riley and Michael Maxwell