Nina K. Bowles
July 19, 1938 – June 26, 2024
Nina K. Bowles, 85, of Rocky Mount, Va passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Born July 19, 1938, in Penhook, VA, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Lena Davidson Kendrick and the youngest of five children. Nina grew up with a strong work ethic while working on the family tobacco farm and carried that into her adult life.
After graduating high school Nina married Leland Bowles. In 1965 she began her employment with First National Bank of Martinsville-Henry County. A year later she moved to Rocky Mount and joined Bankers Trust Company and her successful career span in banking for 36 years. Nina retired from SunTrust in 2001 as Vice President and Bank Branch Manager to help with her grandchildren whom she loved with her whole being.
She was dedicated to her family and friends and focused the biggest part of her life on giving back to others. She was a committed and active member of her community serving in civic, community and banking organizations and held various positions within the Banking Administration Institute, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Community Partnership for Revitalization, United Way of Franklin County, Free Clinic, the FCHS Technical Advisory Board and Goodwill Industries of the Valley.
She was an avid sports fan and loved following Mike in baseball, basketball and football while growing up. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren play a variety of sports. Later in years she watched lots of games on T.V. A woman of deep faith, Nina was a longtime member of Franklin Heights Baptist Church where she also held various positions.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Leland J. Bowles; brother, Allen W. Kendrick Sr. (Mildred); and sisters, Theresia K. Hylton (Roy) and Patricia Hancock; and sister-in-law, Velma Kendrick.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Mike L. Bowles and his wife, Drema of Charlottesville, VA; three grandchildren, Shane Bowles, Charleston, SC, Tess and Hannah Bowles, Charlottesville, VA; brother, Jack Kendrick, Vinton, VA; nephews, Jerry Hancock (Linda), Richmond, VA, Wade Kendrick (Sherry), Roanoke, VA; and a special brother-in-law, Elwood Bowles of Martinsville, VA. The family would like to extend a special thanks to her wonderful caregiver for the past year, Beverly Rutter and Carilion Hospice Services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider continuing Nina’s spirt of care giving by doing an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need or donating to Franklin Heights Baptist Church. Though she has departed from our midst, we take solace in knowing that she has finished the race that was set before her.
Funeral Services will be conducted at Franklin Heights Church, (Rocky Mount Campus) at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024, with Pastors Stan Parris and Bobby Young officiating. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Franklin Heights Church. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.