Jane T. Bowman

The Life and Loves of Jane Twiford Bowman Mary Jane Twiford Bowman was born Mary Jane Twiford in Elizabeth City, near the Outer Banks of North Carolina on April 7, 1930. She was the middle of 7 children of Elisha Lundy Twiford and Mamie Hasket Crain. She met John Alfred Bowman in the summer 1953 in Elizabeth City, NC when they went on a blind date to the dog races. They were married that December and stayed in Elizabeth City while John finished up his service in the Coast Guard. Their daughters, Cindy and Wendy, were born in the first two years of marriage which kept Jane very busy having two children just a year apart in age. They enjoyed living 13 years in Raleigh, NC, while John completed his degree in electrical engineering at NC State and then moved to Oxon Hill, MD for his position at Naval Research Laboratory. They moved to Chesapeake, MD in 2007 and have enjoyed the closeness, dedication and love of Cindy, Rick, Julie and Meredith who lived 10 minutes away. They were delighted to find a new family of faith at Friendship UMC in Friendship, MD and now at Asbury Solomons. Jane was always active in her church and community and she made a lasting impact wherever she served. During their 13 years in Raleigh, she was a Girl Scout leader as well as children’s choir mom and altar guild member at Christ Episcopal Church. For over 40 years she served the Ft Washington MD area with her dedicated work at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Broadcreek, MD. She worked with the Accokeek Health Council in addition to help establish the first Food Pantry at St. John’s. She worked tirelessly for St. John’s Country Fair, Antique Table and the Women of Wonder Tea. Her greatest love was serving on the altar guild where she met and kept friends for life. She and John enjoyed square dancing and passed that love on to their daughters. Their square dance club, Pike Promenaders, have enjoyed getting together for over 40 years. Her daughters have always kept her very busy, whether she was raising them in her beautiful, devoted way or helping out with her beloved grandchildren; Julie Ann Herndon, Meredith Lynn Herndon, Justin David Russel and Luke Bowman Russel. She even got to spend a little time with her great-granddaughters, Mackenzie Shae Russel and Aria Jane Russel. She loved her many nieces and nephews as well as her siblings David, Zula Mae, Ann, Wilson and Ramona and made visiting them a priority. She was devoted to her husband and wherever John was, Jane was at his side. Jane was a great listener, not only to conversations but also to concerts and church services. Her family is full of musicians and she stayed active behind the scenes and in the audience. Wherever her family was, she was there, quietly supporting them with her trademark gracious hospitality. Her actions have always spoken louder than her words and she lived out her faith quietly, with unwavering dedication. She was truly the hands of feet of Christ in this world to more people than we will ever know.

Jane T. Bowman

April 7, 1930 - November 3, 2018