Alphonso Hugo Bowers, Jr., affectionately known as “JR” in his formidable years and “Al” later on, was a 30-year resident of Virginia, well known for his professional career, community involvement and colorful personality entered eternal rest on December 10, 2022.
Al was born July 17, 1947 to Alphonso Hugo Bowers and Virginia Wood Bowers. In 1965, Al graduated from West End High School at the top of his class and attended Virginia Union University, earning a B.S. in Mathematics.
While attending the university, Al served as SGA President and Vice-President, was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and enjoyed a stint as Mr. Esquire. But the highlight of his college days was as a member of the Virginia Union golf team. He helped VUU win the CIAA Championship in 1966, 1968 and 1969. This led to Al’s induction into VUU’s Athletic Hall of Fame on September 20, 2019. He remained a faithful and generous alumnus of the university all his life.
After graduating from Virginia Union, he and his then wife, Madeline Cherie Dailey moved to Greensboro, North Carolina and worked with Burlington Industries. Al later met and married Marva Jean White and went on to become a highly successful entrepreneur in construction; impacting the community with his passion for Black businesses to be included in major projects.
Upon relocating to the Richmond area, Al embarked on a course of action that resulted in a substantial increase of contracts with Black businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Al served as the President of the Black Business Alliance and Central Virginia Business and Construction Association (CVBCA) which help cultivate diversity and inclusion in the construction industry and accelerate the growth of Black businesses.
Al loved spending time with his family. He also loved listening to old spiritual hymns and soul music. He was generous to his friends and to the causes he supported, but did not suffer fools gladly, and used an acerbic wit to vanquish those who might be a vexation to his kind-hearted soul. In his spare time, he enjoyed seeing friends, playing golf, constructing 3-D model homes, custom home building and spending time with his grandkids.
Al is predeceased by his father Alphonso H. Bowers, Sr. and his brother Carter Gray Bowers.
He is survived by his wife, Marva W. Bowers; his mother Virginia Bowers Fenty; his children; Alphonso H. Bowers, III (Melody), Dawn Bowers, Sean Bowers (Danielle), Farrah Massenburg (Maurice), Travis Bowers (Tesha), Julian Bowers, Laio Morris and Katina Manning (Jeffery); 26 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 6 brothers, 5 sisters and numerous extended family members.
There will be a celebration of Al’s life for his friends and colleagues from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, December 16th at Virginia Union University, Coburn Hall, 1500 North Lombardy Street, Richmond, Virginia. Viewing of the body is from 11am to 12pm and the funeral services will be held at 12pm December 17th at Clarksville Baptist, Church 210 5th Street, Clarksville, Virginia.
