Robert Mowell

Robert F. (Bob) Mowell, Sr., 97, gained his independence from this earthly house on Sunday, July 4, 2021, after a brief illness. Funeral will be Thursday, July 8, 2021, at 10:30 AM at Southcliff Baptist Church, 4100 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76109.  Following the funeral, a graveside service with military honors will be held at 3:30 PM at Reilly Springs Cemetery near Sulphur Springs, TX. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 7, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Emerald Hills Funeral Home, 500 Sublett Road, Kennedale. Survivors: Wife, Virginia Mowell; Son, Robert F. (Bobby) Mowell, Jr.; Daughter, Rhonda Jackson (Philip); Grandchildren: Joshua Mowell (Ruthie); Jeffrey Mowell (Heather); Jennifer Mayes (Jon); Matthew Jackson (Melissa); Steven Carlton (Lisa); Stephen Jackson; Bethany Jones (Graham). Great-Grandchildren:  Philip Jackson, Haley Carlton, Jewel Mayes, Olivia Jackson, Benjamin Carlton, Andrew Jackson, Oakley Mayes, Hunter Mayes, Ivy Kay Mayes, and Luke Jones (due August 2021).  Bonus daughters: Sylvia Lemley (Bob) and Greta Graham. Bonus Grandchildren: Carlton Lemley (Abigail); Chris Lemley (Megan); Bonus Great-Grandchildren: Graham & Noam Lemley.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Faye Mowell and sister, Polly Owens.

Bob is also survived by 5 siblings: Jim Mowell (Sylvia), Alamogordo, NM; Fern White, Fort Worth; Billy G. Mowell (Juanita) of Ponce de Leon, FL; June Robertson, Tyler, TX; and Don Mowell (Antje) of Princeton, TX.

Bob was born on his Grandpa Oakley’s farm near Reilly Springs, Texas and grew up in Hopkins County. He graduated from Commerce High School. Shortly after high school, he entered the Army Air Corps/Air Force, serving for 6 ½ years in Germany, France, and Japan during World War II.  After he returned from the war, he worked at Convair in Fort Worth and he met and married Jewel Faye Lance in 1953.  Just before his 40th birthday, he gave his life to Christ. He began teaching Sunday School, attended Youth Camps and church outings with his children, Bobby and Rhonda. The family attended East Berry St. Baptist Church, later called South Campus Baptist Church. At the age of 50, while working at Bell Helicopter full time, he began attending Arlington Baptist College and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He became principal of South Campus Christian Academy just after he finished Bible college and was later called as Pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Weatherford.  He and Faye returned to Hopkins County after his retirement, where they enjoyed country living until her death in 1999.

In 2000, Bob moved to Benbrook to be near his children and began attending Southcliff Baptist Church where he met Virginia Graham.   They married in 2002 and spent many lovely years together, traveling to Alaska, Panama, New England, and Europe.  In 2016, they moved to Sunrise Senior Living where they met many great friends.

Bob had a great love for God’s Word and had committed much of it to memory. He enjoyed Gospel music and some good old country music. He loved fellowship and game nights at Southcliff with the Grace Group and the Finishers Class. He had an amazing memory (like his Dad), and loved telling jokes to everyone he met.

He loved spending time with his family (including Great-Grandpuppies!) and is probably most well-known for his harmonica playing (or “French harp” as he called it!)  Many family members and friends have Bob’s rendition of Happy Birthday (or Happy “Any Special Day,“ recorded on their phones.)  He will be greatly missed.

A special thank you to the staff and caregivers at Sunrise Senior Living in Fort Worth.  They became more like family than a staff because of the love and care they had for our Dad.  Also, thank you to Beyond Faith Hospice and two special nurses, Laura and Bonnie who took care of Dad during his last hours and gave our family such peace of mind.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Southcliff Baptist Church, 4100 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76109, where he had been a member for 21 years.