Obituary of Evelyn Bowdoin

Evelyn Gayle Carmichael Bowdoin, 84, peacefully walked into the waiting arms of her Lord and Savior, on May 8th, 2023, at White Oak Manor, North Charleston, South Carolina, where she resided.  She was surrounded by her husband of almost 65 years, and her family, while listening to her beloved piano music of Christian Hymns she once herself played at many churches from Florida to South Carolina.  Gayle was a pianist and organist in Baptist churches in Florida and South Carolina for over 60 years.  Her passion for playing the organ and piano brought joy to many churches, happiness at many weddings and warmth to many heavy hearts at funerals all over both states.

Born in Lakeland, Florida, on July 10, 1938, Gayle was the oldest of 4 children to parents, Willard Paul and Evelyn Lena Brown Carmichael.  The family also resided in Day, Florida, but it was when they moved to Perry, Florida, where her father was mayor and city judge - she met, fell in love and married the love of her life, Irvin Franklin Bowdoin, Sr.  While Mayor, Mr. Carmichael became personal freinds and worked during the campaign that eventually nominated John F. Kennedy as President of the United States.  After graduating from Perry High School in 1956, Gayle attended the all-female Norman College, in Norman Park, Georgia, where she was crowned Miss Encee in 1957.   

High School sweethearts, Gayle and Irvin, married on December 14, 1958, and shortly thereafter, Gayle followed Irvin, who was stationed at Stuttgart Army Base, in Germany, where he was serving in the United States Army.  Gayle and Irvin learned they were expecting their first child, Lyn (Mary Evelyn), before they returned stateside, where Lyn was born and where Irvin was then stationed at Fort Ord Army Base, in Monterey, California in 1960.  Soon after Irvin completed his commitment to the US Army, they relocated and joined the Carmichael family in Plant City, FL, and then, Tampa, FL, where, in 1963, Gayle and Irvin were blessed with the birth of their son, Frank (Irvin Franklin, Jr.)  Their family journey also took them to Brooksville, FL; Cocoa, FL; and Lexington, SC, where they lived from 1975-2013 and were members of Pineview Baptist Church for over 3 decades.  They then moved to Summerville, SC, and finally, their current residence, in North Charleston, SC. 

Gayle is preceded in death by her father, mother, brother (Richard) and sister (Paula).

Gayle is survived by her faithful and loving husband, daughter, Lyn Goff (Wayne), son, Frank Bowdoin (Camille), and niece, Leslie Carmichael Clamp (Ricky).  Also survived by brother, Lamar Carmichael of Perry, FL.

Gayle (Granny) loved these children so much!

7 Grandchildren – Allan (Kristina), Ryan (Kate) and Nicole (Chris); Kyle (Nikki) and John; Katy and Mackenzie

9 Great Grandchildren – McKenna, Weston & Teagan; Emerson and Brooklyn; Makenzie, Landon and Corbin & Kade.

Chapel Visitation: Tuesday May 16, 2023  

Time: 10-11:00 am 

Celebration of Life Service will follow visitation, at 11:00 am

Pastor Brandon Sandifer presiding

Location: Simplicity Lowcountry Funeral Services

281 Treeland Drive, Suite C, Ladson, SC 29456;  (843) 996-4426

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials to be made to Gayle and Irvin’s long-time church home, Pineview Baptist Church, 3010 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169, in memory of Gayle.  pineviewbaptistchurch.org 

The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude, appreciation and thanks to our Beloved Pastor, Brandon Sandifer, a former pastor of Pineview Baptist Church, for all his years of Godly service, remaining faithful to our family and driving to Charleston many times to provide comfort and prayers with the family.  

To all our Prayer Warriors, we could not have gotten through the last 6 years without you!