Janet Anne Bowles

Jan was born on May 11, 1944 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota to Lassie Mae and Bernard G. Howard. She grew up in Ada, Oklahoma, spent most of her life in the Oklahoma City area with periods of residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico, La Jolla, California, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Jan graduated from Ada High School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1965 from East Central University. She later found her passion for helping others and received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1979, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She co-founded Counseling Services, Inc. in Edmond, Oklahoma where she worked helping children and adults. She was a board member of Youth Services in Oklahoma County and a supporter of the YWCA’s shelter for abused women and children. Later in her career, she returned to business world to work alongside her husband managing his petroleum company and other investments.

Throughout her life, she had many cherished friends and was a lifetime member of the Oklahoma City Orchestra League and an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, and Queensbury Club. Family and friends will remember her as an avid fly fisher and poor golfer.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents and husband of 44 years, Jack Bowles. She is survived by her son John Stebbins (Leslie) of Atlanta, Georgia, her daughter Michelle Lanuti (Brett) of La Jolla, California, sisters-in-law Betty Ashford (George) of Edmond, Oklahoma and Linda Bowles of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, grandchildren Lauren Stebbins of Atlanta, Georgia, Grant Stebbins of Atlanta, Georgia, Fletcher Lanuti of Dallas, Texas, and Stella Mae Lanuti of La Jolla, California.

Her favorite quote, “and the greatest of these is love,” was a thread running through her life as she loved people, laughter, and the beauty of nature. She treasured her friends and felt ever so blessed by her family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Edmond at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Battered Women's Shelter at the YWCA or Sunbeam Family Services, both in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.