Jo Ann Bowman

Jo Ann Dellinger Bowman, age 85, died on May 20, 2022. She was born on October 10, 1936 to the late Lillie Mae Dellinger and Howard Benfield in Avery County, NC. In 1972, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She went on to become the head of the IT Dept. at Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC until retiring in December 1997. In the late 90’s, Jo Ann relocated to Durham, NC with her husband of 63 years, Leon, where they joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She was a volunteer in the church office, kept the nursery on Sunday mornings, and helped prepare meals in the church kitchen.

Jo Ann loved cats, arts and crafts, Christmas celebrations, family get-togethers, and working crossword puzzles. She was adventurous, taking ice-skating lessons and snow-skiing lessons in her 40’s and 50’s. Nothing was more important to her than God and family. She was the pillar of strength for the family, making sure that everyone knew how much they were loved. That love will live forever in our hearts.

Jo Ann is survived by her daughters Tamara Bowman (Peter Simon) and Kim Woolley (Kirk), and her brothers Roy Dellinger (Judith), and Floyd Benfield (Martha).  Jo Ann is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Logan Simon, Leah Simon, Sarah Woolley (Jordan Cottle), and Katrina Woolley, and by one great granddaughter Lily Anne Cottle.  Jo Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leon Bowman, as well as her brother Ray Dellinger, and 4 sisters, Norma Lane, Nelda Guthrie, Neida Pope, and Jean Frye.

A visitation with the family will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Durham, NC at 2 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2022 to be followed by a church service at 3 pm.

A graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Hickory, NC on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Triangle Aphasia Project in Cary, NC.