Maryjane "MJ" Wallace (Bowles) Orkis

She was born April 19, 1957, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Buel B. Bowles and Mae Jean (Morgan) Bowles.

MJ worked for Family Dollar in Rainelle, WV and Waynesboro, VA for many years. She graduated from River Forest H.S. in Hobart, Indiana, Class of 1975.

As a talented artist, she enjoyed sewing, crafting and was addicted to browsing the Pinterest website. MJ was an avid gardener and enjoyed her flower garden and every summer would have a beautiful display for herself and her neighbors to enjoy. She was a lover of all animals. Despite struggling with so many obstacles in her life, MJ fought through with a smile on her face and spent countless hours brightening the lives of everyone around her. She was a blessing in so many lives.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Randall A. Bowles.

Survivors include her brother and caregiver, Ralph W. Bowles; sister, Martha Rae Bowles-Madrigal and son, Andy; brother, Thomas Ralston Bowles and his wife, Cindy and their children, Samuel, Ethan and Jesse; as well as many cousins in West Virginia. Special thanks to her sister in heart, caregiver and sister-in-law, Kathy Fitzgerald; niece, Susan Sprouse and husband, Charles; great nephew, Nathaniel; adopted niece, Candice Sheehan and husband, Atman Purohit; and her loving and caring boyfriend, Sammy Painter.

For all of those friends who have touched her life and shown her love and support we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You will never be forgotten. The family would especially like to thank the 3rd Floor Augusta Health and UVA Hope Cancer Care Center nurses and doctors, and the loving care of the hospice nurses.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in the name of Maryjane Orkis to: UVA Cancer Center Augusta, 57 Beam Lane #300, Fishersville, VA 22939; Hospice of the Shenandoah, P. O. Box 1000, Fishersville, VA 22939 or Charlottesville Virginia CASPCA, 33 Bermer Drive, P.O Box 7047, Charlottesville, VA 22906.

The family will hold a private memorial service in the spring.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com