Ms. Judy Bowen, formerly of Muskogee, Oklahoma, passed away on Monday, December 10, 2018 in Oakley, California.

Judy Kay Bowen was born October 23, 1949 the daughter of Minne Mae Warren-Jiles and Arthur Bowen in Muskogee, OK. She was the first of five children.

Judy graduated from Manual High School in Denver, CO in 1967 and furthered her education, under a full scholarship, at Pomona College in Claremont CA. While at Pomona, Judy was elected Homecoming Queen and a charter member of the Black Student Union. After graduating from Pomona with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, she moved to Norman, OK and attended Oklahoma University where she received her Master's Degree in Social Work. There she became a graduate member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, following the tradition of her Grandmother and Aunts Alice, Mary, June (Lenore) and Cheryl. She moved to Oakland, CA after her education at OU and worked at Children's Hospital as a Crises Social Worker for children in crises. After many years of working at Children's and due to funding cuts, Judy left the social work field and started a new career in the Information Science area where she worked until she retired. Judy was also a published author and wrote poetry. She had her poems published in "Collected Whispers" published in 2008.

Judy had a voice of an angel and was asked often to sing the Lord's Prayer, as that was one of her favorite songs. With that love for singing, any place she had the chance, she joined the choir to sing including High School, College, and Church. When Judy moved to CA she auditioned and was selected to sing in the Oakland Symphony Choir. She loved participating in their concerts, especially during the holidays singing Handel's Messiah with a special love of singing the Hallelujah Chorus. Judy is also prominently featured on her Aunt Cheryl's children's musical books "Shake It" and "Let's Get the Rhythm of the Band". Judy loved to celebrate the holidays, especially Christmas where she and Cheryl would get together on the piano and sing Christmas carols thru the night.

Judy is survived by her son Brandon (Oakley). Brandon was the center of her life as she endeavored and succeeded to raise him in a positive environment providing the best opportunities for him to become the wonderful man he is.

Judy loved her family, especially her siblings. She was always there for them, especially after their Mother passed when Judy was 17.  Several years ago, Judy started a Sunday morning Bible Study with her siblings, son, and others to keep up with what was going on and dig deep into the Word of God. It was important to her to keep them close.

Judy is preceded in death by her Mother, Minne Mae; Father, Arthur Bowen; Grandparents Edward and Bertha Warren, which Judy let everyone know she was "the first and favorite grandchild"; Aunts: Kathlyn Edwina Wilson, Alice Taylor and Florestine Rogers; Uncles: Clarence and John Warren. She is also preceded by one of her closest cousins Joyce Taylor; her youngest sister Jane Karolyn Givens, who passed just a few months earlier, and Judy loved her "baby sister" greatly. Also, Judy's best friend and favorite Aunt Cheryl Mattox, they grew up together and were closer than close.

3 siblings survive her – Arthur Bowen Jr. (JoAnn) (San Leandro, CA), Alfred Bowen (Norman, OK) and June Sheppard (Wylie, TX).
There are many who are left behind to forever cherish her memory; her special and favorite Uncle Michael with whom she grew up with and were like brother and sister. Aunts: Lenore (June) and Mary (who was like an older sister to her). Uncles: Edward Clisson and Booker (who was like her older brother). Nieces and Nephews: Jerome, Bria and Shyla (Jane); Carl Edward and Andrew (Alfred); her special Niecey-Poo-poo Annette (June); Cousin Joseph (Cheryl), who grew up with Brandon and Judy was like his second Mom. Many, many cousins, 12 great-nieces and nephews, 1 great-great niece, and many friends.

Judy accepted the Lord as her Savior at an early age and was dedicated to the end.  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Psalm 116:15 King James Version (KJV)

The Final Hour with Ms. Bowen will commence on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Beebe Memorial CME Church, 700 South 7th Street in Muskogee.  Burial will follow in the Robinson Family Cemetery in Rentiesville, Oklahoma.

You may visit Ms. Bowen on Friday from 1 PM until 6 PM on Friday and on Saturday, from 10:00 AM until 10:50 AM only.  The Casket will not be opened at the end of the service.