Jane Hutto Bowen

Emma Jane Chandler was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 13, 1928 to Edward Montgomery and Bessie Harrell Chandler. When Bess remarried in 1937, Jane was lovingly adopted by Harry Lane Hutto. While enrolled at Birmingham Southern College, Jane met her future husband, Robert Thompson Bowen Jr, a triumphant GI who had returned to finish his degree. Jane and Bob married on August 26, 1947 and enjoyed 68 happy years of marriage prior to Bob’s death in 2015. When Bob graduated, the newlyweds moved to Nashville and then to Michigan for Bob’s graduate studies; Jane’s studies were put on hold. In 1952, they moved to Athens for Bob’s new job at the University of Georgia. But Jane was not one to leave a task incomplete, and she ultimately graduated from UGA with a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1957, while raising two children. Jane died peacefully in her sleep on Easter morning, April 9, 2023 – four days shy of her 95th birthday. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband and her grandson, David Shaw.

Jane was a wonderful mother, chef, chauffeur, seamstress, and general cheerleader for her five children: Barbara (John) Wyle; Bob Bowen III; Beth (Scott) Shaw; Bonnie (Jeff) Turner; and Bruce (Rebecca) Bowen. Jane was blessed with a bevy of loving grandchildren: Scott (Meghan) Hudgins; Mary Kathryn (Andrew) Barnet; Alex Bowen (Alanna Weber); granddaughter-in-law Jami Shaw; Christine Shaw (Michael Weingartner); Jeffery and John Robert Turner; and Micah and Caroline Bowen. Jane also enjoyed visiting with and hearing from her six great-grandchildren: Andrew and Ansley Hudgins; Sylvan, Alice and Leo Barnet; and Kellan Shaw.

Jane’s life was filled with service to her family, church, and community. Jane and Bob joined Emmanuel Episcopal Church in 1952. There she shared her time and talents at the Thrift House, Altar Guild, Choir, Vestry, Stephen Ministry and Interfaith Hospitality Network. Within the community, she served on PTAs in the Clarke County Schools for more than 25 years and as Co-President (with Bob) of Clarke Central High School PTA. She was President of the UGA Women’s Newcomers Club, volunteered in numerous school libraries, led a Girl Scout Troop, helped found an adult literacy program in Clarke County, and served on the education committee for the League of Women Voters. In recognition, the Athens Junior League awarded Jane the 2001 Community Service Award. But as anyone who met her knows, awards or recognition were never her goal; her works were always an expression of her servant’s heart.

Jane’s family wants to thank all the special caregivers at Talmage Terrace who loved and cared for her since her arrival in 2016.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 15 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 10:00 a.m. with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church ( www.emmanuelathens.org ) or Talmage Terrace ( www.wesleywoods.org/foundation ; gift designation to Talmage Terrace).