Mary, Bowman

Mary Jackson Bowman of Colonial Heights died Sunday morning, November 14, 2004 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond. Mrs. Bowman was the daughter of the late4 Charles Saunders Jackson and Bessie Moody Jackson and the widow of the late Willie M. Bowman. Born in Dinwiddie County, she moved to Matoaca in 1949, the year she and Mr. Bowman were married. She resided there for the next 50 years, before moving in 1999 to Colonial Heights. Mrs. Bowman was an active member of the Blandford United Methodist Church before joining the Matoaca United Methodist Church following her marriage. Presently, she had rejoined Blandford, the church where her entire family has worshipped for generations. Mrs. Bowman was a member of the Evening Shades Circle at the church. Following her husband’s retirement, Mrs. Bowman was named President of the company they ran together, W.M. Bowman Electrical Contracting, Inc. After his death, in 1975, she stayed with the company for several ears before herself retiring. After being diagnosed with Lupus, Mrs. Bowman continued to amaze the doctors who attended to her. “She never let the Lupus get the best of her. She loved to travel and we did a lot of that,” explains daughter Valerie. “Whether it was Florida, the Outer Banks or South Jersey, she loved to be near the beach.” Mrs. Bowman always credited Dr. Brian Burijon, Dr. Peter Condro, and dr. Lenore Buckley with keeping her in shape to stay on the move. Mary was also proud to be a member of the Gold Star Wives of America, Azalea Chapter in Virginia Beach, and had attended two of their national conventions, one in Atlantic City, NJ and the other in Washington, DC. Mrs Bowman is survived by her daughter Valerie K. Bowman of Colonial Heights, three sisters; Inez J. Durphey of Centerline MI, Evelyn J. Gibbs and Joyce J. Garrett, both of Colonial Heights, one brother, Elmer J. Jackson of Petersburg and one step-grandson, Terry Sullivan of Matoaca. She was predeceased by a step-daughter Phyllis Bowman Sullivan. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening at J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home in Petersburg between the hours of 7:00 and 8:30 P.M. Reverend Lester King will preside at a funeral service to be held at Blandford United Methodist Church, Crater Road on Thursday, November 18 at 11:00 A.M. where friends may call after 10:00 A.M. Burial in Matoaca Cemetery will immediately follow the service. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made in her memory to Blandford United Methodist Church.