Betty Jo Thompson Bowman

Mrs. Betty Jo Thompson Bowman, 80, a resident of Harrisonburg, died February 13, 2012 at her home. She had not enjoyed good health for the past several months. A daughter of the late Robert Alton and Christine Brown Thompson, she was born on September 15, 1931 in Lynchburg, VA. She moved to Harrisonburg in 1948 and graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) where she studied biology and then taught high school science in Richmond and Harrisonburg. Mrs. Bowman owned and operated Flowers by Sidney from 1978 until 2005 when she retired. She was an artist who shared though her paintings; and she and her husband enjoyed raising Lhasa Apsos dogs which they traveled with to show. Betty was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg; a former member of Spotswood Country Club and Harrisonburg Women’s Club. On June 23, 1956 she married William Joseph Bowman who preceded her in death on May 13, 1994. She was also preceded in death by a son, William Joseph Bowman, Jr. Surviving are two daughters, Donna Jo Ketterman and her husband, Allen, of Harrisonburg; Lynn McNett and her husband, Donnie, of Bridgewater; one son, William Scott Bowman and his fiancee’ Sabrina Morales, of Elkins, WV; five grandchildren, Katie Ketterman Goebel and her husband, Max, Sara Ketterman, Erin McNett Brooks and her husband, Chad, Joe McNett and Sam McNett; one sister, Jane Blankenship of Forest, Va; and one brother, Bob Thompson and his wife, Anna Jolly, of Richmond, VA; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 15th at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 16th at 3:00 p.m. at Montezuma Church of the Brethren with Pastor David R. Miller and James Joyner officiating. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to RMH Hospice, 2010 Health Campus Dr., Harrisonburg, VA 22801. On-line condolences may be sent to www.lindseyharrisonburg.com