Sterling Lee Bowles Jr., 79, of Reedville, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020. He retired in 1991 after 27 years with the Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office, including 15 years as Sheriff.
Sterling Lee was born and raised in Reedville, spending most of his time on the Chesapeake Bay. He was an avid waterman and shared his passion for boats with everyone he met. He loved playing fastpitch softball for the Kilmarnock Texaco, and was also a lifelong member of Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department in Reedville. After retirement, Sterling Lee spent his time with family and traveling the Intracoastal Waterway. A true pillar of the community has been lost.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Sterling Lee Bowles, Sr., and his sister, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Karen J. Bowles; his son, Sterling Lee Bowles III, and his wife, Annette; his daughter, Carla Hamilton, and her husband John; grandchildren, Clifton Bowles and his wife, Brooke, Lauren Bowles, Mindy Bandy and her husband Corey, Zachary and Noah Hamilton; and five great-grandchildren, and his beloved dog, Rudy.
A private family graveside service will be held at Roseland Cemetery in Reedville. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Marks-Bristow Chapel, Tappahannock, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Fairfields Volunteer Fire Department, (P.O. Box 656, Burgess, Virginia, 22432.)