Jill Koch

1961 - 2026

Jill (Bowden) Koch Elizabeth City - Our community has lost someone special. Jill Ann Bowden Koch, age 64, of Elizabeth City, NC, died at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center on Thursday, January 15, 2026. She was born in Northampton County, VA on February, 8, 1961, to Carolyn Gladden Bowden and the late Kirby R. Bowden. She was the wife of Charles "Richard" Koch, Jr. Jill was the owner of Photography By Jill, capturing a lifetime of memories for so many families within this community. So many children grew up in front of her lens. She loved watching them grow, capturing portraits and photographs of various milestones throughout their lives such as births, graduations, weddings, and family reunions. She loved her dog, Brinkley, like her child. Jill had a special love of Silver Beach, VA and she and Richard spent time there making countless memories.

In addition to her mother and husband, she is survived by a niece, Kirby Thornton; two nephews, Michael Thornton and Wyatt Thornton; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her father; and a sister, Heidi Bowden Thornton.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church, 700 N. Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, officiated by the Rev. Caleb Bass. There will be a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Belle Haven Cemetery, Belle Haven, Virginia. The family invites you to a reception following at the Exmore Moose Lodge, 15315 Merry Cat Lane, Belle Haven, VA 23306.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jill's name to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate.html), P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Koch family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.