Carolyn "Kelly" Bowman

Kelly Bowman was born on December 14, 1961, in North Tarrytown, New York to Sandra McDaniel Bowman/Hines and Henry Bowman, Jr. Kelly grew up in Ossining, New York and graduated from Ossining High School in 1980. She was an accomplished track sprinter, competing in the New York State public high school’s state track meet as a freshman. Kelly attended Spelman College and transferred to Cheyney University, graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. She previously worked for IBM in New York and transferred to the Bethesda, Maryland campus in 1988. Kelly was most recently employed as a customer support liaison specialist for 15 years with African Ancestry.

Kelly enjoyed researching her own family history and helped several family members and friends learn more about their family lineage. She was also a wonderfully skilled cook and baker. Her passion was baking cakes, pies, lasagna, and casseroles, along with making many other interesting dishes. She was always looking for new recipes (she had hundreds), often preparing dishes and hosting family celebrations and holiday gatherings. As a result of being a homeowner, Kelly was a self-taught “home improvement expert”, she fixed all things gone awry in her home. With her kind nature, she helped others with home repairs too – even replacing plumbing fixtures. Kelly met her devoted partner Andre Rasberry, in November 2002. They recently celebrated 20 years together. They traveled extensively across the country and made numerous trips to North Carolina together.

Kelly was initiated into the Iota Lambda Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in March 1999. Kelly was also a faithful and active member of Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, MD for many years. She sang in the choir, and for a period was co-lead and choir administrator, serving in an intermediary role supporting choir members. Kelly was beloved and respected by her choir peers.

Kelly was an incredibly kind, generous, and friendly soul who touched many lives. She departed this earthly life peacefully on January 3, 2023, at age 61 after a lengthy illness. She was cared for and surrounded by her loving family. Kelly is survived by her devoted companion, Andre Rasberry, her mother Sandra Hines, her sister Jill McClenney, and brother-in-law Geoffrey McClenney. Kelly is also survived by stepsisters Susan Toms Berry (Alan), Lori Hines Jones (Jesse), and stepbrother Kenneth Hines (Anja); niece Lauren McClenney-Rosenstein (David); nephews Christopher McClenney (Vanessa), Quincey Berry, Lamar Finch, Logan Finch (Karima), Lenell Finch, and Adrian Hines; great-nieces Anya and Larissa Rosenstein; great-nephew Logan Finch Jr. She is also survived by special brothers Robert Brown and Michael Brown; special sisters Suzy Lowery Copeland and Francine Artis; close family members Maurice and Glenda Rasberry; godmother Carolyn Jones; stepmother Barbara Bowman; and a long list of supportive cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her father Henry Bowman, Jr., stepfather Charles Hines, uncle Carson McDaniel Jr., cousin Dawn McDaniel, nephew Lloyd Finch, and her grandparents Beryl and Henry Bowman, Sr., and Eleanor and Carson Sr. “Jack” McDaniel.

The family thanks all of those who cared for Kelly during her illness - her special CNAs, her exceptional Gilchrest Hospice nurses and staff, and the staff at Lighthouse who made Kelly comfortable each day.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Kelly Bowman

Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 am

Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park

7250 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Gilchrist Center, Howard County, in memory of Carolyn “Kelly” Bowman.

Gilchrist Center, Howard County

Attn: Philanthropy Department

11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350

Hunt Valley, MD 21031

Or at: Gilchristcares.org

We thank everyone who loved and supported Kelly, she was a kind soul and a blessing to us all.