BETTY JO BOWMAN,
Newark Advocate, 27 May 2023
Betty Jo Bowman, 96, passed away on May 22, 2023, at the Inn at Chapel Grove, in Heath, OH, where she had been a resident since 2015. She was born on Sept. 16, 1926, in Morgantown, West Virginia, to William Carl Underwood and Gertrude Bowman.
She had a keen mind and loved books, particularly about history, and had an endless curiosity that served her well in the 1960s and '70s when she became a news reporter and photographer at the Beaumont (TX) Enterprise and Journal newspapers.
Wherever she lived, she would find new and interesting people and subjects to research and write about since she loved to share stories about her many adventures. When she married Joe Holberg, a gemologist, in 1973, she once again found another opportunity to learn a new field when they co-owned a jewelry store in Beaumont that specialized in the unusual. She was soon researching and writing newsletters for customers about the history of gemstones, jade, and Japanese menukis—carved ornaments that adorned the swords of Samurai warriors of ancient Japan —to name a few. She also became fascinated with antique jewelry and attended multiple summer seminars at the University of Maine, which helped her recognize and appraise antique jewelry and gemstones. She also launched an additional business, Bowman Enterprises, specializing in antique jewelry and collectibles.
After briefly living in California, she settled in Granville to be near her family in the 1990s and embraced Ohio's natural beauty and history. She soon became immersed in genealogy, which continued to be her passion into her 80s. Having left West Virginia at an early age, over the ensuing years, she took many trips exploring the areas where her ancestors had lived, including tracing those who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, particularly focusing on cemeteries for gathering details. She kept extensive files on every subject that interested her.
A great friend to homeless animals, stray dogs and cats (BC), always seemed to turn up at her door and find a new home. Early in her newspaper career she did frequent feature stories on animals illustrated with her photographs. She looked for ways to support local rescue groups as a volunteer and joined a Newark friend providing seed for birds in the harsh winter months.
Survivors include her children, Nanette Wiese of Alexandria, VA., Bruce (Betty) Poland of Beaumont, TX; Carlene Blake of Jackson, MS; Daughter in law, Cindy Poland of Suisun, CA.
Mama Betty to 10 grandchildren: Kim, Brooke, Zane, Natalie, Grace, Richard, Virginia, & Blake Boys;
8 great grandchildren: Vincent, Tommy, Shelby, Lily, Alex, David, Evelyn (sorry if I missed others)
Brother, Gordon Underwood of Houston, TX.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Holberg of Beaumont, TX; former husband, Richard Poland of Beaumont, TX; a son, Douglas Poland of Suisun, CA; and daughter, Christine Mitchell of Newark; as well as two brothers, Corky and Dick and parents.
Newark Advocate, 27 May 2023
Betty Jo Bowman, 96, passed away on May 22, 2023, at the Inn at Chapel Grove, in Heath, OH, where she had been a resident since 2015. She was born on Sept. 16, 1926, in Morgantown, West Virginia, to William Carl Underwood and Gertrude Bowman.
She had a keen mind and loved books, particularly about history, and had an endless curiosity that served her well in the 1960s and '70s when she became a news reporter and photographer at the Beaumont (TX) Enterprise and Journal newspapers.
Wherever she lived, she would find new and interesting people and subjects to research and write about since she loved to share stories about her many adventures. When she married Joe Holberg, a gemologist, in 1973, she once again found another opportunity to learn a new field when they co-owned a jewelry store in Beaumont that specialized in the unusual. She was soon researching and writing newsletters for customers about the history of gemstones, jade, and Japanese menukis—carved ornaments that adorned the swords of Samurai warriors of ancient Japan —to name a few. She also became fascinated with antique jewelry and attended multiple summer seminars at the University of Maine, which helped her recognize and appraise antique jewelry and gemstones. She also launched an additional business, Bowman Enterprises, specializing in antique jewelry and collectibles.
After briefly living in California, she settled in Granville to be near her family in the 1990s and embraced Ohio's natural beauty and history. She soon became immersed in genealogy, which continued to be her passion into her 80s. Having left West Virginia at an early age, over the ensuing years, she took many trips exploring the areas where her ancestors had lived, including tracing those who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, particularly focusing on cemeteries for gathering details. She kept extensive files on every subject that interested her.
A great friend to homeless animals, stray dogs and cats (BC), always seemed to turn up at her door and find a new home. Early in her newspaper career she did frequent feature stories on animals illustrated with her photographs. She looked for ways to support local rescue groups as a volunteer and joined a Newark friend providing seed for birds in the harsh winter months.
Survivors include her children, Nanette Wiese of Alexandria, VA., Bruce (Betty) Poland of Beaumont, TX; Carlene Blake of Jackson, MS; Daughter in law, Cindy Poland of Suisun, CA.
Mama Betty to 10 grandchildren: Kim, Brooke, Zane, Natalie, Grace, Richard, Virginia, & Blake Boys;
8 great grandchildren: Vincent, Tommy, Shelby, Lily, Alex, David, Evelyn (sorry if I missed others)
Brother, Gordon Underwood of Houston, TX.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Holberg of Beaumont, TX; former husband, Richard Poland of Beaumont, TX; a son, Douglas Poland of Suisun, CA; and daughter, Christine Mitchell of Newark; as well as two brothers, Corky and Dick and parents.
BETTY JO BOWMAN,
Newark Advocate, 27 May 2023
Betty Jo Bowman, 96, passed away on May 22, 2023, at the Inn at Chapel Grove, in Heath, OH, where she had been a resident since 2015. She was born on Sept. 16, 1926, in Morgantown, West Virginia, to William Carl Underwood and Gertrude Bowman.
She had a keen mind and loved books, particularly about history, and had an endless curiosity that served her well in the 1960s and '70s when she became a news reporter and photographer at the Beaumont (TX) Enterprise and Journal newspapers.
Wherever she lived, she would find new and interesting people and subjects to research and write about since she loved to share stories about her many adventures. When she married Joe Holberg, a gemologist, in 1973, she once again found another opportunity to learn a new field when they co-owned a jewelry store in Beaumont that specialized in the unusual. She was soon researching and writing newsletters for customers about the history of gemstones, jade, and Japanese menukis—carved ornaments that adorned the swords of Samurai warriors of ancient Japan —to name a few. She also became fascinated with antique jewelry and attended multiple summer seminars at the University of Maine, which helped her recognize and appraise antique jewelry and gemstones. She also launched an additional business, Bowman Enterprises, specializing in antique jewelry and collectibles.
After briefly living in California, she settled in Granville to be near her family in the 1990s and embraced Ohio's natural beauty and history. She soon became immersed in genealogy, which continued to be her passion into her 80s. Having left West Virginia at an early age, over the ensuing years, she took many trips exploring the areas where her ancestors had lived, including tracing those who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, particularly focusing on cemeteries for gathering details. She kept extensive files on every subject that interested her.
A great friend to homeless animals, stray dogs and cats (BC), always seemed to turn up at her door and find a new home. Early in her newspaper career she did frequent feature stories on animals illustrated with her photographs. She looked for ways to support local rescue groups as a volunteer and joined a Newark friend providing seed for birds in the harsh winter months.
Survivors include her children, Nanette Wiese of Alexandria, VA., Bruce (Betty) Poland of Beaumont, TX; Carlene Blake of Jackson, MS; Daughter in law, Cindy Poland of Suisun, CA.
Mama Betty to 10 grandchildren: Kim, Brooke, Zane, Natalie, Grace, Richard, Virginia, & Blake Boys;
8 great grandchildren: Vincent, Tommy, Shelby, Lily, Alex, David, Evelyn (sorry if I missed others)
Brother, Gordon Underwood of Houston, TX.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Holberg of Beaumont, TX; former husband, Richard Poland of Beaumont, TX; a son, Douglas Poland of Suisun, CA; and daughter, Christine Mitchell of Newark; as well as two brothers, Corky and Dick and parents.
Newark Advocate, 27 May 2023
Betty Jo Bowman, 96, passed away on May 22, 2023, at the Inn at Chapel Grove, in Heath, OH, where she had been a resident since 2015. She was born on Sept. 16, 1926, in Morgantown, West Virginia, to William Carl Underwood and Gertrude Bowman.
She had a keen mind and loved books, particularly about history, and had an endless curiosity that served her well in the 1960s and '70s when she became a news reporter and photographer at the Beaumont (TX) Enterprise and Journal newspapers.
Wherever she lived, she would find new and interesting people and subjects to research and write about since she loved to share stories about her many adventures. When she married Joe Holberg, a gemologist, in 1973, she once again found another opportunity to learn a new field when they co-owned a jewelry store in Beaumont that specialized in the unusual. She was soon researching and writing newsletters for customers about the history of gemstones, jade, and Japanese menukis—carved ornaments that adorned the swords of Samurai warriors of ancient Japan —to name a few. She also became fascinated with antique jewelry and attended multiple summer seminars at the University of Maine, which helped her recognize and appraise antique jewelry and gemstones. She also launched an additional business, Bowman Enterprises, specializing in antique jewelry and collectibles.
After briefly living in California, she settled in Granville to be near her family in the 1990s and embraced Ohio's natural beauty and history. She soon became immersed in genealogy, which continued to be her passion into her 80s. Having left West Virginia at an early age, over the ensuing years, she took many trips exploring the areas where her ancestors had lived, including tracing those who fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, particularly focusing on cemeteries for gathering details. She kept extensive files on every subject that interested her.
A great friend to homeless animals, stray dogs and cats (BC), always seemed to turn up at her door and find a new home. Early in her newspaper career she did frequent feature stories on animals illustrated with her photographs. She looked for ways to support local rescue groups as a volunteer and joined a Newark friend providing seed for birds in the harsh winter months.
Survivors include her children, Nanette Wiese of Alexandria, VA., Bruce (Betty) Poland of Beaumont, TX; Carlene Blake of Jackson, MS; Daughter in law, Cindy Poland of Suisun, CA.
Mama Betty to 10 grandchildren: Kim, Brooke, Zane, Natalie, Grace, Richard, Virginia, & Blake Boys;
8 great grandchildren: Vincent, Tommy, Shelby, Lily, Alex, David, Evelyn (sorry if I missed others)
Brother, Gordon Underwood of Houston, TX.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joe Holberg of Beaumont, TX; former husband, Richard Poland of Beaumont, TX; a son, Douglas Poland of Suisun, CA; and daughter, Christine Mitchell of Newark; as well as two brothers, Corky and Dick and parents.
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