Jewell May Flora Bowman

Jewell May Flora Bowman, 96, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in Salem, Virginia, surrounded by her family. She was born in Boones Mill, Virginia on September 9, 1928, to Daniel Jacob Flora and Stella Peters Flora. Jewell married Raymond Cleveland Bowman on March 29, 1947, and together they raised four children.

Jewell lived most of her life in the foothills of Cahas Mountain, on the Flora farm and then the Bowman farm. She was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Church of the Brethren, which included three decades of active involvement with the Monte Vista congregation. Jewell served as children’s Sunday School teacher, pianist, choir member, women’s fellowship leader, deacon and co-creator of dozens of banners for the church sanctuary. In the community, Jewell built relationships with neighbors by participating in the Home Demonstration Club and supporting her children in 4-H activities. She was skilled in sewing, crocheting, crafting, gardening, and preserving food. She enjoyed sharing her garden harvest with relatives and neighbors.

Jewell will be remembered for her friendliness, kindness, inquisitiveness, and concern for others. She claimed as her life verse these words from Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Her faith and determination sustained her through years of struggle with chronic pain and limited mobility. For the last decade of her life, Jewell lived at The Oaks Assisted Living in Salem, where she made many friends.

Jewell was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; son, Donald Bowman; sisters, Mabel Angell and Clyde Bowman; and brother, Galen Flora. She is survived by daughters, Judy Abbott and husband Carsey of Jacksonville FL, Mary Jo Bowman and husband Frank Brown of Callaway, and Freda Givens and husband Phillip of Salem; brother, Earl Flora and wife Janet of Roanoke; brother-in-law, Carl Bowman of Boones Mill; daughter-in-law, Dorothy (Dottie) Rowland Bowman; granddaughters Lauren Romberger and husband John, Allyson Acri and husband Joe; and great-granddaughter, Leah Brooke Acri, all of Harrisonburg, PA. Jewell is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

The family is grateful for the care provided to Jewell by the staff at The Oaks of Richfield/Friendship, Good Samaritan Hospice, and caregivers who assisted her in her final months of life, especially Niasia Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren in Boones Mill, led by Pastor Tony Emmons. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral at the Bethlehem Cemetery. Light refreshments will be served at the church fellowship hall where family and friends are invited to gather after the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, Jewell’s family suggests memorial gifts to Bethlehem Church of the Brethren (c/o Treasurer, 713 Wildwood Road, Boones Mill VA  24065), Camp Bethel (328 Bethel Road, Fincastle VA  24090), or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.