Bowen, PhD, Lt. Col. (ret.) Geneva N. is reunited with her parents Ephraim and Nettie Brooker Bowen; brothers Carl, Edward and Hampton and sisters Mabel (Johns), Jessie (Harris), Nellie (Hall) and Eula (Dombaugh) in their love for Jesus Christ. Born October 3, 1910, in Providence, FL, Geneva moved to Kissimmee, FL, when she was 13-years old. She died January 7, 2014. She is survived by her nephew Earl Harris, Sr., (Kissimmee), niece Leni Bessette (Jacksonville), great nephews and nieces and their respective children. Geneva graduated from Osceola High School, Kissimmee, and Woman's Hospital in Philadelphia. Her education continued at Will's Eye Hospital and Kirkbrides Hospital, Philadelphia; was a staff nurse at Sheppard Enoch Pratt Hospital, Towson, MD; Franklin Institute Psychiatric Hospital, Philadelphia; returned to Will's Eye Hospital as Head Nurse Supervisor until she joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corp in 1941. She traveled the world while serving in the 20th General Hospital unit during World War II in the U.S., India, China, Burma, Germany and Korea. Her stations included training at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, then Bombay, India in 1942 where her unit established a 1,000-bed hospital in Assam, India. Geneva traveled to the China and Burma theaters in World War II to care for American, Indian and Chinese people, where she earned two battle stars. After "VJ" Day, Geneva continued her army nursing career and spent the next three years in Nuremberg, Germany. Upon return to the U.S. she completed the Administrative School at Ft. Sam Houston and was assigned to the Fort Jackson U.S. Army Base, S.C., as a medical supervisor. At the outbreak of the Korean War she was selected as chief nurse of the medical team appointed to open a military hospital in Seoul, Korea, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (the highest rank a woman could obtain in the army at that time). Following that tour, she became Assistant to the Chief Nurse at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She retired from the army in 1963, just shy of 23 years of service. Recognitions received by Geneva included: the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, two National Defense Service Medals, two battle stars, a WWII Victory Ribbon and the Army Commendation Medal (for her service at Walter Reed Hospital). Geneva's thirst for knowledge took her to the University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C., where she earned her B.S. degree in nursing in 1965. She earned her M.S. in 1966 at Emory University, Atlanta, GA. The Dean of Nursing at the University of South Carolina recruited Geneva as an assistant professor, teaching classes in medical and surgical nursing. She was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure and served as interim dean for 1½ years. She retired from teaching and returned to school at the Univ. of S.C. to earn her PhD at the age of 70. She was invited back to the Graduate School of Nursing at the university to help masters' students write their theses. During this time, she also served as a tutor for the Greater Columbia Literacy Council helping adults learn to read and write, and served as a teacher of mentally challenged children at the First Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. In 1987 she returned home to Central Florida where she resided at The Mayflower Retirement Center, Winter Park, FL. Geneva graciously and unconditionally aided others during her lifetime. The recipients of all who received that aid will never be known, but it is known there are many who will always be grateful to her. God rest her soul. The Bowen family is being cared for by CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett Street, Kissimmee, FL. 34741 (407)847-3188
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Published in the Orlando Sentinel from Jan. 10 to Jan. 11, 2014
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