Evault “Bosie” Marion Boswell, Jr., 89, of Greenville, Texas, passed away, Saturday, March 17, 2018 after a brief illness.
A celebration of life service will be held at Highland Terrace Baptist Church on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Friends may call from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Coker Mathews Funeral Home in Greenville, Texas.
Memorials may be made to Zephyr Baptist Encampment at 151 FM 3162, Sandia, TX 78383, or to The Salvation Army of Greenville at 4601 King Street, Greenville, TX 75401.
Bosie Boswell was the fourth child of Evault Marion Boswell, Sr. and Lucille Lemley Boswell. Born and raised in Farmington, Missouri, he met and married Jacqueline Lucille McDaniel, also of Farmington, on September 12, 1948 in Desloge, Missouri.
Bosie started a career at F.W. Woolworth Company and managed various stores around Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Illinois before being transferred to Greenville, Texas in 1959. When it became clear that more moves were inevitable for advancement in the Woolworth system, and after a family meeting, Bosie retired from Woolworth and began a second career in homebuilding and real estate. He also became the Sports Editor for the local newspaper, The Greenville Herald Banner.
In 1962, Bosie and Jackie both accepted Christ into their hearts and lives, and things changed forever. Bosie worked with the Royal Ambassadors group at church and eventually served on the board of Texas Baptist Men. In 1981, Bosie was called to be the director of Zephyr Baptist Encampment near Corpus Christi, Texas, where he and Jackie served for 17 years. At their retirement from Zephyr, they returned to Greenville and once again became active in church, now at Highland Terrace Baptist, where Bosie taught Sunday School for many years. Bosie and Jackie also have been weekly visitors to Briarcliff Nursing home in Greenville, where they and other friends sang for the residents every Thursday morning. The Crossroad Gospel Band, of which Bosie has been a longtime member, also appears at the Salvation Army on the first Friday of each month.
Upon his return to Greenville, Bosie also renewed a writing career that had been put on hold. Until his death, he wrote a weekly birding column for The Greenville Herald Banner and The Brazoria Facts. He has also written and published 12 books, including one co-written with his daughter, Becky McConnell.
Bosie is survived by his wife, Jackie, as well as his three children, Linda Acker and her husband, Glenn Acker; Becky McConnell and her husband Jim McConnell; and Joe Boswell and his wife, Dawn Boswell. Grandchildren include: Wesley Acker and his wife Penney Acker; Justin Acker and his wife Catherine Acker; Nick Acker and his wife Beka; Jeff Dobbs and his wife Brandy; Rusty Dobbs; Matt Boswell and his wife Jessica; Marc Boswell; Nicole Boswell. Great grandchildren include: Peyton Arnold, Lauren Arnold, Jacob Dobbs, Kadin Acker, Kaitlyn Acker, Jayci Dobbs, Emily Dobbs, Abigail Acker, Khloe Acker, Zoe Acker, Seth Acker, Liam Acker, Aaron Boswell, Isaac Boswell (on the way), and another baby boy (on the way). He is also survived by many precious nieces and nephews and his sister-in-law, all whom were dearly loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill (Jean) and Don Boswell, his sister, Alma Dean (Bill) Cleve; and nephew Lee Boswell.
Pallbearers are Russell Cook and Bosie’s grandsons, Wesley Acker, Jeff Dobbs, Rusty Dobbs, Justin Acker, Nick Acker, Matt Boswell, Marc Boswell.
Honorary Pallbearers: Lee Gayle, Don Hall, Amos Lowry, Derrell Felts, Robert Davis