David Lee Bowman

DURHAM – David Lee Bowman, age 72, died at Brookdale Assisted Living on August 9, 2025. He was born on July 8, 1953 to the late Juanita Sears and Lorris Bowman. 

David was born in Palestine, Illinois. He grew up an only child with his mother, Juanita Bowman and father, Lorris Bowman. His mother stated in a note that she left behind that she “vowed to the Lord that she would raise him for the Lord if He would use him in his service.” Throughout David’s school years he was active in multiple school sports and music programs. He played multiple instruments and enjoyed being a part of his dad’s gospel quartet playing the bass guitar. His band director urged him to learn how to play the stand-up bass for his high school jazz band and the marching bass drum for the marching band. When the tenor singer in his dad’s group quit, Dave stepped in and took that part. The quartet band traveled over several states spreading the gospel through music. Shortly after the quartet disbanded he played in a rock band in his college years. The rock band was hired to play at Glacier National Park in Montana and that is where he met his wife, Susan Bowman. Once he returned back to Illinois he and his father started another gospel group called “The Shiloh’s.” He did not graduate college with a degree, but once “The Shiloh’s” disbanded he and his wife moved to Virginia where they had their daughter Heather Bowman. David knew that he had a calling in ministry, so he felt that God wanted him to plant a church. He, his wife, and his daughter all moved to North Carolina where he started New Horizon Church. As the senior pastor he dedicated his life to the church for the next 39 years until he passed. What a wonderful gift it is that his work at New Horizon Church has not ended with his death and people will continue to encounter God and engage in community. 

David is survived by his wife Susan L. Bowman, his granddaughters Arianna M. Whaley and Jayden L. Wheeler, and his grand-son-in-law Samual C. Whaley. 

David was preceded in death by his daughter Heather C. Bowman and his parents Juanita and Lorris Bowman. 

A visitation will be held Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at New Horizon Church. A funeral service will follow. Officiating will be Pastor Dwayne Sayre and Pastor Charlie McNeill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Horizon Church. 

The Bowman family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries