1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "The Rowe Family"; Article; Page
234; submitted by Jessica Rowe, Box 33, Bartley, WV 24813.
1. 1920 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Oceana District, taken on 7/8 Jan 1920, Page 227B, Family #50.
Listed as Virgil Bowden; age 8 yrs, 9 mons, born in WV, in household of father, Delbert G. Bowden.
2. 1930 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Oceana District, taken on 24 Apr 1930, Page 201B, Family #280.
Listed as Virgil Bowden, age 18, born in WV, in household of father, Delbert G. Bowden.
4. Social Security Death Index; LDS Web Site.
Virgil Bowden; born on 3 Mar 1911; died on 17 Feb 1999; living at Kopperston, Wyoming Co, WV
at death.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1964); Page 11; WV Archives Website.
Sylvester Harper; age 24; born 3 Apr 1939 in Wyoming Co, WV; no previous marriage; living at
Oceana, WV; son of Sylvester an Judith (Bowden) Harper (can't be correct); married on 17 Oct 1964
at Oceana, WV; Judith Carol Bowden; age 17; born 24 Oct 1964(sic, date can't be correct) in
Kopperston, WV; no previous marriage; living at Kopperston, WV; daughter of Virgil Lee and Irma
Ernestine (Barlow) Bowden.
2. Stafford Funeral Home; Lynco, WV; Posted Obit.
"Sylvester Harper, 86, of Oceana, WV went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 20, 2025 at WVU Medicine, Princeton, WV. He was born on April 3, 1938 in Guyan, WV a son of the late Ralph Willard and Gracie Mod Maynor Harper. Sylvester was a member of the Oceana First Baptist Church and a United States Army Veteran. He was a member of the UMWA District 17 Local 1503. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two infant brothers Buster and Kenny Harper, a sister Nora Blankenship, mother and father-in-law Erma and Virgil Bowden, and lifelong friends Woodrow and Ruth Cooke. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years Judy Bowden Harper, a daughter Rhonda Thomas and husband Russell of Oceana, a grandson Kirtis Wyatt Thomas and wife Miranda of Galax, VA, two great grandchildren William Jay Thomas and Jemma Grace Thomas both of Galax, VA, lifelong friends Ira Otis and Mari Cooke and their daughter Amanda of Las Cruces, NM, his lifelong friends at McDonalds, and a host of other loving family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Tuesday, January 28th at the Oceana First Baptist Church, Oceana, WV with Pastor Jerry Cook Officiating. He will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 5-7 pm on Monday, January 27th at the church. Military Rites will be conducted by the Wyoming County Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV."
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1964); Page 11; WV Archives Website.
Sylvester Harper; age 24; born 3 Apr 1939 in Wyoming Co, WV; no previous marriage; living at
Oceana, WV; son of Sylvester an Judith (Bowden) Harper (can't be correct); married on 17 Oct 1964
at Oceana, WV; Judith Carol Bowden; age 17; born 24 Oct 1964(sic, date can't be correct) in
Kopperston, WV; no previous marriage; living at Kopperston, WV; daughter of Virgil Lee and Irma
Ernestine (Barlow) Bowden.