Comrade Joe Willis Bowser...

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

Joe Willis Bowser

Funeral 1:00 pm Saturday,, February 22, 2020,  @ Oakgrove Baptist Church in Littleton NC. Located @ 10614 US Hwy 158

Repast @ First Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. . Located at 250 Webb Hill Street just off Hwy 158

To My Comrade

It's been three scores, and some change since we first met, in the first grade at Everetts Elementary School. . We were not from the aristocracy. As a matter of fact, we were from what one might call the poorest of the poor. But as I ponder over this we were the richest of the rich.

We were the inheritors of a nucleus and extended family that gave us all the love and nurturing to become men who were to become agents of change. Locally and internationally.

 

I have been taught that in order to know an individual you must live, travel or do business with him. I've had the honor to have done all three with you my Comrade.

Our Lord never puts more on any soul than it can bear. I've watched you over the years after the passing of your father, how you were able to "cowboy up", and take the responsibility of the patriarch of your family.

In reflecting over our youth, we took diversely different paths. You went to college. I went to war. As young men you were pragmatic. I was the risk taker. But, as I grew older and watching you I found that pragmatism was the better course.

Again coming from an environment of abject poverty you were able to ascend to the position of administering millions of dollars as the Durham County Commissioner. When I think of the story of Prophet Joseph who came from the bottom of the well to ascend to the Governorship of Egypt I can't, but reconcile that our Lord honored you in a similar way by making you the administrator of millions of dollars, again as the Durham County Commissioner.

One of the burdens of leadership is we have very few confidants. I will truly miss being able to reach out to my Comrade. But one of the gifts that our Creator has endowed us with is the gift of memory. Your contributions, your influence and kindness will always be remembered.

Farewell my Comrade

Bilal Mahmud 

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

Kofi Bilal Mahmud Eid AlFitr 1443 A.H.

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Kofi Bilal Mahmud

Executive Director

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