Betty Jo Bowman (nee Pearson), age 87 of Vinita Park, Missouri, was called to her heavenly home on Saturday, May 22, 2021. She was born on Saturday, July 15, 1933 in Gideon, Missouri, the daughter of William Dave Pearson and Ollie Francis (nee Kessinger) Pearson. She met her husband while working in St. Louis at American Can Company and they were married on June 26, 1954. After the wedding, they started to enlarge the family and she worked at home raising babies and loving her husband. After the family expanded to five children, it was time to move to a new home in Vinita Park. After moving in, she worked hard to strip all the woodwork in the new home since she liked the natural wood. Then, another bundle of joy (the last) arrived. The kids grew, mom learned to drive (she had only drove a tractor before that) so she could run around with the kids and her friend, Mary Hollowell. She would also make trips to visit her elderly Aunts. She would bring them gifts, cheer, and a video camera to catch everything on tape. After her husband became an Alderman, she stepped in and became involved in the community and helped him serve them. She worked at the elections, stuffed Easter eggs for the City of Vinita Park, and stuffed boxes of candy for Santa to give out at Christmas. She also assisted by checking on her elderly neighbors. For a time, she sold jewelry and made some extra cash. In addition to her civic work, she was active for many years in the Order of the Eastern Star and The White Shrine. She and her husband rose up in these organization to become leaders. As such, they served their members and the charities that they helped. In this role, Betty sold many raffle tickets, worked card parties, and acquired raffle donations for the card parties. She would go to the Masonic homes for the elderly and sing Christmas carols or help scoop ice cream. She also had been a member of the Overland-St. Ann VFW Auxiliary and was still a current a member of the White Shrine at the time of her passing. Betty was so much fun to be with. She had a wonderful childlike quality, a great wit and joyfulness about her, and never complained. There simply is no one like her. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and everyone she ever touched in her life.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, James "Kick" Bowman; one son, Joseph Bowman (surviving, Linda); and five siblings, William Dave Pearson, Jr., Marion Pearson, Imogene Hardy, Charlie Pearson, and Julian Pearson. She is survived by her five daughters, Amelia Clough, Irma (late Don) Smith, Mary Jane (late Ricky) Beck, Brenda (Randy) Beck, and Zadie Joann (Chris) Shaul; 18 grandchildren, Scott Bowman, Vickie (Matt) McGehee, Tammy (Dave) Finkeldei, Christy Clough, Cathy Clough, Elysia (Heath) Shy, Stephanie (Alex) Perez, Brandy Smith, Ricky Beck, Shane (Dawn) Beck, Monty Shaul, Jeff Eaker, Monica Eaker, Diane (Josh) Martin, Dominic (Erin) Shaul, Douglas Shaul, Kristi Shaul, and Kami Shaul; 21 great-grandchildren, Kody, Jordin, Corey, Taylor, Trinity, Gabrielle, Katie, Savannah, Ethan, Kaleb, Stoney, Katarina, Audrey, Tate, Charlotte, Kelce, Paisley, Carson, Star, Mikki, and Kyndall; two great-great-grandchildren, Mason and Allyssia; two sisters, Maryellen (late Dallas) Morhead, and Amelia (Rusty) Dunscombe; nieces, nephews, cousins, their families, and many friends.

Services: Visitation at SHEPARD FUNERAL CHAPEL, 9255 Natural Bridge Road at I-170, St. Louis, Missouri (314-426-6000) on Friday, May 28 from 4:00 until 8 p.m. with the White Shrine Service at 7 p.m. The Funeral Service is also at SHEPARD FUNERAL CHAPEL on Saturday, May 29 in the morning (time to be determined). Burial follows at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri.

Live Stream: For those unable to attend, the Funeral Service will be streamed live on the Shepard Funeral Chapel Facebook page.