Hope "Jackson" Bowen
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Hope Bowen, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at her home, holding the hand of her daughter, Betsy. Hope was 96.
She was born in Moravian Falls, N.C., home to several generations of her mother's family. She was the eldest of three children. After her mother, Helen Jackson, became a single mom, Hope helped raise her brothers, George and David Jackson.
George, who survives her, remembers Hope as "a wonderful sister and a beautiful lady," whom he always admired. David passed away in 2019.
Hope graduated from high school in Ironton, Ohio, in 1944. She was living in Virginia when she married Burns Bowen in 1954. They spent 48 years together, welcoming a son, Les, and then his sister, Betsy, to their family before they moved to Charlotte in 1963.
Hope worked for what was then Snelling & Snelling employment agency in Roanoke, Va., until the birth of her second child, when she left the workforce to devote her energy to her family.
Her children remember her as a dedicated, loving woman who guided them toward learning, advocating that they take advantage of opportunities she was not afforded in her youth. She reentered the workforce after they were grown and enjoyed a number of years in the field of market research.
Hope was an excellent seamstress and an accomplished gardener who always seemed to be busy with a new project. She was never happier than when hosting large family Thanksgiving gatherings. She and her husband traveled extensively after his retirement; they had a special affinity for the British Isles. Burns Bowen passed away in 2002.
Hope read widely and was among the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library's most ardent patrons. She enjoyed her two book clubs, when she was still able to drive, and was willing to take a class in just about anything; she always wanted to learn more, and meet new people. "Shark Tank," "Jeopardy," and "Antiques Roadshow" have lost a dedicated viewer.
In addition to George, of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., Les (Barbara), of Haddon Township, N.J., and Betsy (John Ross), of Charlotte, Hope is survived by grandsons Matthew Bowen (Clare) of Denver, Co., and Daniel Bowen (Brelyn) of Baltimore. Her grandson Brandon Bowen passed away in 2017.
Among those who will miss her dearly are her extended family, including Lacey Ross of Charlotte, Taylor Ross Brewer (Jake) of Boynton Beach, Fla., Bert Gallaher and Elaine Hill of Charlotte and their daughter, Chloe Knouff of Cumming, Ga.
The family will receive visitors Friday, August 12, 2022 at McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210, from 10 to 11 am, followed by a funeral service at 11. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Hope's memory to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library Foundation, 300 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, N.C., 28202.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.