1926

Cecil Augustine Bowers was born on September 1, 1926 in Cassatt, South Carolina, son of Stephen “Steve” Oliver Bowers and Annie Cornelia Powers Bowers.

1930 Census Information:

According the the United States Census reported on April 24, 1930, Steane Bowers (37) rented a home in Dekalb, Kershaw County, South Carolina, with his wife, Annie C Bowers (29), and their children; Albery W Bowers (11), Ina L Bowers (8), Steven W Bowers (6), and Cecil A Bowers (4). All family members reported having been born in South Carolina. Steane Bowers was a farmer.

2021

Cecil Augustine Bowers, 94, passed away on January 12, 2021, in Camden, SC.  A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 15, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church at 1201 Broad Street, Camden, SC. The burial will follow in Cassatt Baptist Church Cemetery in Cassatt, SC. 

Cecil was born on September 1, 1926, in Cassatt, SC to Steve Bowers and Annie Powers Bowers. He grew up in Cassatt, SC and attended Midway school. He was an accomplished, self-taught fiddle player from age 12 after his father bought him a fiddle for $5. He performed in country/blue grass bands throughout his life which was his passion and a joy to him and with such country greats as Porter Wagner, Bill Monroe, Tommy Faile, and Pappy Sherril. He met Evelyn Reynolds while performing in Sumter, SC. They married in 1944 and shortly afterwards he enlisted in the Marines. He was in the 1st Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan.  After returning from war, his first job was performing as a musician on WIS radio with Fletcher Henley. He also performed with other Blue Grass/Country legends such as Slim Mims and the Dream Ranch Boys.

He began his radio career in Bishopville, SC at WAGS until in the early 1970s he and four other Camdenites opened a radio station, WPUB, where he was operations manager and had a radio show known as “Fiddlin’ Around with the Old Man.”  He was also the Kershaw County coroner from 1974-1982 at which time he was elected to the Public Service Commission serving the Fifth District until 1998.

He owned “The Hut” having Tuesday night bingo and Saturday night dances. 

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Camden and a Free Mason for 60 and 70 years, respectively. He never met a stranger and loved his family and his fiddle, which he played until he was 92. 

Survivors include his daughters,  Rebecca “Becky” Bowers Mooneyhan of Camden and Julie Bowers Moniot (Daniel) of Greenville, SC; his son, Stephen R. Bowers of Camden; grandchildren, Lori Fleenor Young, Sandra Shaw (Keith Dixon), Brian Bowers (Cas Gally), Kevin Bowers, Jennifer Mooneyhan, Shannon Mooneyhan Campbell, Steven Mooneyhan (Jessica), Alyson Mooneyhan Clisby (Chris), and Sarah Moniot; great-grandchildren, True Young Boyd (Michael), Lauryn Young, Sierra Simms, Tripp Johnson, Sydney Campbell, Jake Campbell, Shawn Corbett, Emma Mooneyhan, Lucas Mooneyhan, and Wilder Gally-Bowers; great-great-grandchildren, Rowan Uher and Oliver Boyd; and sisters, Georgette “Bay” Bowers Maksin of Camden and Catherine Bowers Hobek of Annandale, Virginia; and a brother, Joseph “Joe” Bowers (Betty) of Kershaw.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn; daughter, Linda Bowers Shaw; brothers, Alby W. Bowers and Stephen “Skinny” Bowers; sisters, Iva L. Bowers and Peggy “Nancy” Bowers Fitzgerald; and a grandson, Denis Michael Mooneyhan.

Arrangements are being handled by Kornegay Funeral Home.

Active Pall bearers include Steven Mooneyhan, Kevin Bowers, Daniel Moniot, Jason Shannon, Eddie Coates, Phil Rogers, and Chris Clisby. Honorary Pall Bearers include Alby “Butch” Bowers, Mike Bowers,  Isaiah “Ike” Heyward and Willie James. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Fostering Foster Animal Rescue and Historic Camden Foundation.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.