JoAnn Bowman

JoAnn Spangler Bowman, 66, a travel agency owner, died of acute myeloid leukemia at 11:35 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. A resident of Baton Rouge, she was born in Springfield, Ill., and grew up in Hammond. She was a teacher before she opened her travel agency 25 years ago. Her love of travel and role as an educator were a perfect combination for her life's work. During her career, she traveled the world and was happiest sharing her knowledge and love of new adventures with family and friends. Her enthusiasm and her joy for all aspects of her life were evident to everyone who knew her. Her bravery and fine sense of humor were intact, even during her last days. Because of her gracious heart, caring attitude and abundance of love, JoAnn left a permanent stamp on every person she met. Whether traveling around the world, running errands in Baton Rouge, or simply in her own home, she was determined to change lives for the better. JoAnn's most prized role was "Nana," which entailed being a one-of-a kind wife, mother to her three daughters and grandmother to her seven grandchildren. A wife of 47 years to Glen, there was never a dull moment where Nana wasn't ready for a new adventure. Nana's life revolved around her grandchildren, and she was their biggest fan at every ball game, choir concert and birthday party. Above all, Nana's favorite times were those where she could make a pot of gumbo and relax with her family. She is survived by her husband, Glen David Bowman; three daughters, Betsy Bowman Talbot and her husband, Derek, Jill Bowman Purvis and her husband, Stan, and Cindy Bowman Downs and her husband, Brad; as well as grandchildren, Jordan, Bradley and Thomas Downs, William, David and Andrew Purvis, and Bowman "Bo" Talbot. Other survivors are a sister, Christi Kennard; and brothers, Chuck Spangler and Don Juneau. She was preceded in death by her parents, Christine and Thomas Spangler; and a brother, Spike Spangler. JoAnn attended Southeastern Louisiana University and graduated from Holy Cross in New Orleans. She was an active alumna of SLU and received the alumni organization's Distinguished Service Award; she also maintained her membership in Felions, which supports SLU athletics. At SLU, she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. A person of unfailing and great faith, JoAnn was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church for 33 years and served in the RCIA ministry, as a lecturer and as a Eucharistic minister. She was also a charter member of the BR Referral Group, a networking organization for businesses, and was active in the Campus Club of LSU. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Dec. 27, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church on Highland Road. Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m., with entombment at St. George Mausoleum. Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street will assist with the services. Pallbearers will be Seth Kaplan, Bradley and Thomas Downs, Joseph and John Thomas Spangler, and William Purvis. Honorary pallbearers are David and Andrew Purvis and Bowman Talbot. The family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Kornblau and his medical team at M.D. Anderson, Bridget, Elizabeth, Jill, Sam and Laon for their expert care, Joan Ounanian for serving as resident guardian angel, and the Rev. Don Neumann, chaplain at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, for his caring support throughout JoAnn's nine-month journey. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in JoAnn's memory towww.caringbridge.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.caringbridge.org">www.caringbridge.org,www.bethe" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.bethe">www.bethemarch.org or her memorial scholarship fund at Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation, JoAnn Bowman Endowed Scholarship, SLU 10450, Hammond, LA 70402.