'A woman of note' Bowman's legacy lives on in her retirement

Apr. 22—A retirement party was held for Dr. Jo Ann Bowman recently. Family, friends, former co-workers, and acquaintances gathered Sunday, March 19, at Davison's Steakhouse to honor Bowman, and enjoy fellowship and eat cake.

Bowman directed choirs and chorus groups for the better part of 60 years, that anyone is aware of, anything before that predates history — of Dr. Bowman in Sanford.

She spent a majority of her career as a choir director at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, on Steele Street.

Eventually, you have to retire, put the sheet music down, step outside, enjoy the bloom of the cherry blossoms, and stop to smell the flowers.

Dr. Bowman finally did that — at age 85.

Better late than never. Sometimes we take the long route down the career path of life, and Bowman enjoyed every step along the way.

Her retirement party was attended by Dr. Pam Jessup, a parishioner at St. Thomas. Others of note in attendance were Katie Hyer, a long-time choir member at St. Thomas; Dr. Danny Hester, professor of organ at Campbell University; Earl Murphy, former band director at Lee County High School, good friend, and her assistant principal at J. Glenn Edwards; and Karen Huey, former head of the music department at Lee County High School. Cornelia Olive was regrettably unable to attend but was there in spirit.

"The generosity of Jo Ann and J.O. in supporting St. Thomas' beyond her work as Choir Director is outstanding, said Dr. Pam Jessup, "They have contributed to building improvements as well as to special projects such as new altar hangings for Advent & the new needlepoint cushions being handmade by members of the church. They also have sponsored musicians on multiple occasions for special music."

Bowman is as well-known as an educator, if not more, than her dedicated work to St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, and before that at First Baptist Church.

She was principal at Lee County High School and later at J. Glenn Edwards Elementary and excelled at both.

She was at one time the Wachovia Principal of the Year. Presented with a presidential award in Washington D.C., and tasked year after year with taking a variety of young voices and turning them into divine harmonic sound that was heard all across the country, from Raleigh to Washington D.C., that most indubitably impressed those that had the opportunity to hear her church choirs and school chorus groups.

"Jo Ann was a world traveler and organized many trips. She was the tour guide and prepared herself well. I was on one of her trips to Europe, which was amazing. Later, she and I went to the Holy Land as tourists." Former mayor, journalist, and friend Cornelia Olive said. "Without question, she is one of the most intelligent, creative, talented people I have ever met."

Her late husband, J.O. Bowman was a beloved teacher. They raised two children together: Dr. Catherine Bowman Davis and Jody Bowman, an attorney. Both currently live in Atlanta, and Dr. Bowman is also blessed with three grandchildren.

Dr. Danny Hester was in the seventh grade when Bowman became choir director at First Baptist Church, and then later as a student of her at Sanford Central High School — before the school systems merged and became Lee County High.

"It was a wonderful event that honored her deservedly so." Dr Hester said of her retirement party. "Lots of old friends and acquaintances of her were there."

"There's only one Jo Ann Bowman" he added.

Karen Huey, Cornelia Olive, Katie Hyer, and Earl Murphy all spoke so highly of Bowman and expressed their value of her friendship, patronage to others, and duty to her choir and chorus students.

"At one point, in one season," she did Grease, and the next weekend was Grease, and the next weekend again The Wiz," Huey said. "She was sop talented at doing an excellent job at grueling work. She gave a small southern town, a chance to experience musicals, choir and chorus music that they otherwise might not have had a chance to experience."

"She was very supportive of her teachers," said Hester, referring to a time when he was a music teacher under her guidance. "We were invited to sing in the governors' mansion , and we were also invited to sing in the Senate courtyard in Washington DC, and then we sang on the steps of the capitol, under the support and guidance of Dr. Bowman who helped them raise the money to make the trip possible. We also sang in the national cathedral," Hester said. "And she was there with us, like the proud momma, standing there listening and supporting us throughout."

Earl Murphy reflected on a time during the NCAA finals when Michael Jordan played for Carolina, and during a performance Bowman allowed the students and faculty involved to watch the game with the sound muted.

"Jordan sank that final shot right about the final note of the play and we had to celebrate quietly," Murphy said. "But what was amazing about Jo Ann was that she could adapt any music in a play to the talent she had at any given time — it was seamless."

"She even wrote her own music sometimes, it was extraordinary." Added Katie Hyer.

Hester reflected on her last field trip, in the final year she taught, was to Washington DC, and as they were leaving on the bus, the cherry blossoms were blooming as the bus pulled out of DC.

"I could see tears in her eyes, and I knew it was because that was her last field trip with the kids." Hester said, "she taught us and upheld us to the notion that when you do something you do it to the best of your ability."

The Rev. Bruce T. Heyvaert, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church,

expressed his gratitude for Dr. Jo Ann's commitment to the St. Thomas' music program for nearly 60 years.

"Music is integral to the Episcopal worship service and thru Dr. Jo Ann's leadership an indelible mark of excellence has been left with St. Thomas." he said in a statement.

Bowman now plans to enjoy her time in retirement by spending time with her children and grandchildren.