Charlottesville, Virginia
Janie E. Bowen
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.
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.
January 07, 2011
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.
July 04, 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.
Denise Stringer Rice
July 02, 2010 | Bogart, GA
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.
Rebecca Thomas Heim
June 30, 2010 | Marietta, GA
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.
Lyn Olliff
June 30, 2010 | Eatonton, GA
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...
Jerri Tatum
June 29, 2010 | Cartersville, GA
Virginia, I am so sorry to hear of your lost. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Jonathan Spivey
June 23, 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.
Kimberly Clark
June 21, 2010 | Providence, NC
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!...
Sally Wood
June 20, 2010 | Chester, VA