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Janie Bowen Obituary
Janie E. Bowen, the daughter of Mrs. Virginia Brown Bowen and the Late Howard Wellman Bowen of Bellair, died suddenly on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at her Richmond, Virginia, home. She was born on December 8, 1953.
She is survived by a brother, Arthur N. Bowen III and his wife, Jackie J. Bowen; a niece, Virginia R. Bowen; and a nephew, Palmer Sinclair Bowen.
She is also survived by five cousins, James K. "Butch" Brown, David Brightberry Brown, Beverly Long, Peggy Kyle West, and Grant Larkin.
She was the fifth State Tax Commissioner in the 79 year history of the department and its first woman commissioner. She was a Charlottesville native and a graduate of Albemarle High School. She served as a deputy secretary of finance in Governor Kaine's office after working for the tax department for 28 years before moving back to the department. The department employs 850 classified employees and has long been recognized as one of the better administrated tax systems in the country.
She received a number of national awards and in 2005 she received a national award for leadership and service in state administration. Recently she was elected president of the Federation of Tax Administrators. She was a graduate of the University of Georgia and did her graduate work in public administration at the University of Virginia.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, with the Reverend Al Horton officiating.
A reception will follow the memorial service, with the graveside services 2:30 p.m. at Monticello Memory Gardens.
A visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, June 18, 2010, at Hill and Wood Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hickory Hill K-9 Rescue, Ashland, VA 23005 or to an animal shelter of your choice.
Friends may sign the online guest register at www.hillandwood.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 7, 2011
The members and supporters of the Albemarle High School Alumni Association were very sorry to hear about Janie Bowen's passing. It is always sad to lose a member of the Albemarle family, and we offer our condolences to her family and friends.
July 4, 2010
I was saddened to hear of Janie's passing. She and I were sorority sisters at UGA and her intelligence, determination and drive were apparent even then. My deepest sympathies to her family, her friends and the citizens of VA that she served.
Denise Stringer Rice
July 2, 2010
My prayers and thoughts are with the Bowen family and friends. Janie and I were sorority sisters at UGA. Janie was one of my favorites. She had a great sense of humor and vest for life. We had hoped to reunite for a good long visit. We will all miss her greatly.
Rebecca Thomas Heim
June 30, 2010
My prayers are with the Bowen family. Janie was my sorority sister and we kept in touch over the years. She brought her own special brand of humor to our sisterhood and great music to our lives. She will be missed by all who loved her.
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Lyn Olliff
June 30, 2010
I was very sad to hear about Janie's passing. Janie and I were sorority sisters at the University of Georgia. It's been a long since I've seen her, but I will always remember how much fun she was to be around. My prayers and thoughts go out to her family and friends.
Jerri Tatum
June 29, 2010
I was so saddened to hear of Janie's passing. I was..am..a sorority sister of Janie's from UGA where we must have played a gazillion games of cards while eating an equal number of delivery pizzas. And laughed! Lordy but that girl was funny. And so fierce. I was almost afraid of her when I was just a lowly pledge. But I soon got over that, and just adored her. We had hoped she was going to make our spring reunion, but the real world intervened. We were looking forward to seeing her back at the old SK house next year. She was so high on everyone's lists of sisters we'd most like to see again.
Again, my sincerest sympathies on the loss of your daughter, sister, aunt and friend.
Jonathan Spivey
June 23, 2010
Virginia, I am so sorry to hear of your lost. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Kimberly Clark
June 21, 2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Janie. It is because of her that I am lucky enough to work for the VA Department of Taxation. What wonderful accomplishments and momories her life brought! May God bless you all during this time.
Sally Wood
June 20, 2010
To the Family of Janie Bowen,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the sudden passing of your daughter, sister, & aunt. She was always wonderful, kind and a very knowledgeable woman. We started at TAX in the same year, but I knew she was destined to go higher & stay a long time. Our family's thoughts and ptayers are with your family during this time. May GOD bless you and your families and may HE guide you through this difficult time.
TAX will never be the same! Thinking of all of you too!
glenn bedonie
June 20, 2010
All of us involved in state tax administration will miss Janie-what a great lady
kathy Huneycutt
June 19, 2010
To Janie Family. She will be missed at the Dept. of Taxation .I enjoyed working with her in my 29 years.May God bless you all.
Diane Jones
June 18, 2010
To the family of Janie Bowen,
May you seek joy in the memories that remain.Remember that your loss is yet heavens gain.Just know that she is in the hearts of those she touched.May the love of friends and family be a source of comfort to you at this time.With deepest sympathy.
Diane Jones
Department of Taxation
Jolene Maggard
June 18, 2010
My deepest condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. She will be greatly missed by her tax family as well. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Wes Loomis
June 18, 2010
Janie was an inspiration to the Department of Taxation, greatly improving inter-departmental communication and department morale. She recognized those tax employees who worked hard andhelped make all our jobs more fun. We'll miss her.
"Buzz" and Pamela Cason Brezinski
June 18, 2010
We are sad to hear about Janie. We have fond memories of her from high school. She was always pleasant and caring. May the memories you have, comfort you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Evelyn Deane
June 18, 2010
Ginny,
I am so, so sorry to hear of Janie's passing. God bless and keep you through this painful time. I will be in touch soon. You are loved. Evelyn
Myra Bass
June 18, 2010
My heartfelt condolences to the Bowen family and TAX family. Sudden and unexpected loss is never easy to cope with however we can take comfort by knowing that Janie's life was well lived and believing she is at peace. My prayers are with the family and friends whose lives were touched by her kindness. Let the joy that the Lord gives you make you strong.
Iris Lemeni
June 18, 2010
My Deepes condolencess to Janie's family. She will be remembered for her love to music and her accomplishments with TAX.
NOVA District - Audit
Judy Nightengale Fuqua
June 18, 2010
Janie Bowen was a very kind and thoughtful lady. It was always my pleasure to be in her company. She will be missed by all who knew her.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family today and always.
Judy Nightengale Fuqua
Commissioner of the Revenue
City of Williamsburg
June 18, 2010
How proud you must be of Janie's many accomplishments. My sincere sympathy to all members of her family and her friends. We met often on official business and I will remember her well...Ellen Murphy, Commissioner of the Revenue, Frederick County, Virginia
June 18, 2010
Janie was a great leader and had a great sense of humor. She will be missed by so many. My prayers go out to her family and friends.
Ron Capps
Bente A. Clatchey
June 18, 2010
Family and Friends of our Commissioner Janie Bowen, I, as many express my deepest sympathy for the loss of a truly accomplished woman. As we carry on here at TAX, we go with sorrow in our hearts but also with honor in knowing a wonderful person who we are proud to have worked with. She will be truly missed. My condolences to all.
Monica Martinez
June 18, 2010
My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. She will also be greatly missed by her tax family as well. Thank you Janie for all you did to make life at tax more interesting and flexible. Your innovative ideas will mean that your legecy will live on. May you rest in peace.
Frank Doherty
June 17, 2010
Virginia and Art,
I cannot tell you sad it make us to hear of Janie's passing. You are in our prayers at this most difficult time. We hope to be at the funeral on Saturday. Frank Doherty, Harrisonburg, VA
Carroll Good
June 17, 2010
Virginia,
My condolences and sympathy to you on the loss of your daughter, Janie.
Carroll Good
June 17, 2010
May you find peace and comfort in remembering the good times with Janie.
The times of sadness will come, but there is also comfort in knowing that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Ellen Boone Commissioner of the Revenue and Staff, Sussex County
Eric Powell
June 17, 2010
I have nothing but pleasant memories of Janie Bowen. During her field visits to the Tidewater area, I could always look forward to her sharing her knowledge and a laugh or two. Job well done.
Peg Christian
June 17, 2010
My prayers go out to the family and friends of Janie. I had the honor of working with her for 28 years. Always had something pleasant to say to me. This is such a shock.
Harry Gore
June 17, 2010
Janie was a dear friend and shared in my love of music.She helped me greatly this year by getting me a job at TAX.As one of many musicians she has faithfully supported by coming to our gigs [and even joining us onstage for a song]I can truly say she was a joy to my life and will be missed a great deal.Love and mercy to family and friends.
Brett Pritchett
June 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Janie. She will be missed!
Lovetta Perry
June 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tangela Debro(TAX)
June 17, 2010
Im so sorry for your lost at this time. She was joyous person who seemed to love life very much.She will be truly missed here at Tax. I ask that the Lord continue to be with your family at this great time of need. I loved her singing.
Evelyn Ragland
June 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with Janie's family in your time of grief. She had a life well lived. Remember the pleasant memories you shared with her. Our TAX FAMILY will miss her.
Evelyn Ragland
TAX CUSTOMER RELATIONS (OCS)
Milford, VA
Crystal Alston
June 17, 2010
Music vibrates in your memory because I know that you loved music and music loved you! I loved watching your performances at our annual Employee Appreciation Days each year! Thank you for all that you did for us and being such a hard working person and wonderful with all of your innovative and fresh ideas and supporting the telework program, so that all of us can pleasantly work from home and being always Not demanding, but asking for ideas and thoughts from others! Your passing, tragic, yet peaceful is very saddening....Personally, you will be very much missed and all of your hard life's work accomplishments as first woman Commissioner will not be forgotton! My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends now. I never knew you on a very personal level, but shared quite a few work meetings with you and you were always so polite and understanding and funny! Always had a smile on your face and made the meetings fun! Thank you for being you and God bless you and your family and may you rest in peace. As far as your family and good friends are concerned and I know you have many, I wish them support and love during the grieving process. I have personally lost family members and a friend the past few years. As I get older, death seems to come more so in my life and it's never easy to deal with and the hardest thing anyone can go through! If the family needs anything, please reach out and again, my sincere and deepest condolences. Her spirit and memory will live on forever and time will heal wounds and she is in God's hands now which is an amazing and wonderful place to be! Take care. RIP Janie Bowen.
Crystal Alston
June 17, 2010
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
carmen winson
June 17, 2010
i have really enjoyed working for ms bowen whenever we had our taxation picnics she always played her guitar and sang she seemed to me to love singing and the fact that she enjoyed life.
I am very sorry for your lost and know that she is going to a better place
carmen winson
data processing dept
taxation
Clarence
June 17, 2010
Very sad day, my condolences to Janie's family.
June 17, 2010
My prayers go out to her Family during this time. The TAX Family will miss her.
Tee Berkeley, TELEWORKER(OCS)
Andrea Wright-Gill
June 17, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Valerie Draughn
June 17, 2010
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Rosalia Cavero
June 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Jean-Frederick Jacques
June 17, 2010
My condolences to the family during this sudden transition.
Rob
June 17, 2010
The Commonwealth has lost a stellar public servant. TAX will miss Janie's humor and wit. Janie always had time for 'fun' during the workday. My condolences to her family.
Kay Cooper
June 17, 2010
There are no words to truly comfort the loss of a loved one, but know my prayers are with Janie's family & friends during this time of mourning. Janie, you will be dearly missed by all who knew you both professionally and personally!! May you rest in peace!! GOD BLESS
Larry Brooks
June 17, 2010
I was very sad to hear to of Janie's passing. I worked with her several years ago and remember her always treating me with the highest level of respect and fairness, combined with a great sense of humor. She tried to help rather than hurt. She leaves a great legacy.
June 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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