Angelena Mary Bowman- Virginia Beach- Angelena “Angie” Bowman, better known as Baba, 79, made her journey to be with the Lord on March 4, 2022. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her parents, Marko and Matilda Sofran, and sister, Mary Lootens. Angie was born on August 14, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan. Angie married James E. Bowman on June 2, 1961, in Oak Park, Illinois. James’s service in the US Navy brought them to Virginia Beach in 1963, where they settled and raised a family.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 60 years, James Eulus Bowman; son, James Mark Bowman (Maria); daughters, Carrie Browne (Robert) and Kellie Williams (Douglas); grandchildren, Nicole Huffer (Nathan), James Browne (Heather), Ashley Bowman, Amber Bowman, Rose Williams Leone (AJ), and Angelena Williams; great grandchildren, Evelyn Huffer, Cameron Browne, Abigail Huffer, and Bradley Browne; sister, Rose Weber (James), brothers, John Sofran Sr. (Martha) and Peter Sofran (Katie); along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
A graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan, Angie was a hardworking woman who held multiple jobs and took care of her children while her husband was deployed. She worked as a school bus driver for Virginia Beach City Public Schools and later became the first female shipwright foremen at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Angie was an active member of Red Hats, TOPS, and Oak Grove Baptist Church, whose members she considered to be her second family.
She loved to cook, garden, sew, play bunco and bingo with her many friends. She also loved to spend time with her pets, Blu the mini dachshund and Spike the cockatiel. Angie demonstrated her love and Christian faith by taking care of her family and anyone else in need. Her home was always open as a place to gather and she made sure that no one ever left hungry.
The family will receive friends for a visitation on March 10, 2022 from 5-7pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held March 11, 2022 at 11 am at Oak Grove Baptist Church with a reception following the service. A graveside service will be held at 3pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. Condolences can be made to the family at dignitymemorial.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Virginia Beach SPCA.
