Barbara Jo Bowen Howard went to eternity to be with her Savior on Sunday, June 26, 2022 after a long period of declining health. She was born in Memphis, TN and raised in Hampton, VA. She graduated from Hampton High School in 1956. She married James H. Bowen, Sr. weeks later and began to expand their family within 13 months.

Together, Jo and Jim raised six children in Newport News. She dedicated her life to her Lord and to her family and later, working as a teachers' aide for special needs children in the Newport News Public School System.

The Bowen household was a lively one. People often commented that they should replace the front door with a revolving door to accommodate all the people that came and went. The front door was never locked. Not only did friends of their six children come to visit, but they often had people between jobs and troubled teens live with them for periods of time.

Jo hosted a Wednesday morning Bible Study for years in their home in Riverside as well as taught a teenage girls Bible Study on Tuesday evenings. She sang in a women's group called "The Sounds of Joy" and several of its members taught backyard vacation Bible school together in the summers. She was a woman of prayer and spent much time praying for her children, their families and her grandchildren.

After Jim's death and a long period of being single, she fell in love with a Christian widower and they married. Don Howard was God's gift to Jo and they were married almost 25 years before her death. He lovingly cared for her, called her beautiful, and made sure they had fun traveling and spending time with friends. They continued to serve in the church together and to lead the Healing Rooms ministry. Jo's children cannot esteem Don high enough for his selfless care and love for their mother.

Jo is survived by her husband, Don Howard and a sister, Susan Marple Stafford (George) of Durham, NC; her six children, Mary Oder (Glenn), Jay Bowen (Karen), Cliff Bowen (Cindy), Jennifer Anderson (Steve), Grady Bowen (Amy), and Bill Bowen (Alicia). She also is survived by two stepdaughters Sherry Lusby and Lisa Anderson (Andy) of Newport News. Jo had 17 grandchildren, Amanda Swartley (Michael), Kristen Spitz (Garrett), Kathryn Tavella (Vince), Megan Hosford (Tyler), Michael Bowen (Dani), Melody Bersach (Manny), Bethany Barto (Kevin), Chris Bowen (Lauren), Lauren Temple (Ryan), Laura Ryther (Dave), Meredith Boone (Bracy), Hope Bowen, Morgan Bowen, Madison Bowen, Holly Bowen, Brian Bowen (Angie), and Brielyn Bowen (Damien) and four step-grandchildren Brandon Lusby (Patricia), Brittany Burke (Bill), Jake Anderson and Alex Anderson. These grandchildren blessed she and Don with 26 great-grandchildren and counting.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, June 30th at 2:00 p.m. at New Covenant Church with a visitation immediately following the service. Burial will be private with family members only. W. J. Smith & Son is handling the services.

The family would like to acknowledge how grateful they are for the prayers and meals that have been provided. Special caregivers include: Conchetta Broward, Betty Aworh, Rosemary Hank, Susan Finelli, and Ruth Deane. Special thanks to Riverside Palliative Care, Riverside Hospice, and especially to Heidi Crocker at the Hospice House of Williamsburg. The family also expresses thanks to Dr. Mark Souther and his staff at Riverside Primary Care for the care they provided to Jo.