Joan passed away at home on September 23, 2017 in Joplin, Missouri after a brief battle with cancer. She was 82. She is survived by son Kevin and Tania Bowman of Joplin; son Greg and Tracy Bowman of Joplin; three grandchildren; and a sister and brother in England. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and her husband.
She was born March 31, 1935 in Northampton, England to Arthur and Jessie (Scrivener) Tarry. Joan was the eldest of four children. In school, her favorite subjects were reading, math, tennis, and field hockey. The family endured many hardships during WWII and she carried those memories with her always. She graduated in 1952 from Northampton Technical High School and went to work as a shipping clerk for Lever Brothers/Birds Eye Foods. On the weekends, she loved the action and excitement of the race track. In 1956, she met a handsome American serviceman who was stationed at Cambridgeshire with the U.S. Air Force.
Joan married James Meryl Bowman on September 28, 1957 at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Northampton. He took her home to Kansas City, Missouri where they started their life and planned for a family. She worked for several years as a secretary in a medical office. In 1962, she became an American citizen. The family moved to Joplin in 1967.
She was a wonderful mother, fastidious homemaker, and dedicated community volunteer. Her initial experience with Welcome Wagon led to decades of service with many other organizations including St. John’s Hospital, Freeman Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, docent and board member for Spiva Center for the Arts, and board president for Joplin Museum Complex. The family were lifelong members of Twin Hills Country Club where Joan forged lasting friendships and spent many competitive hours on the tennis courts. Her favorite social activities included Ridpath Study Club, PEO Sisterhood, garden club, and book club. She and Jim spent their weekends boating at Beaver Lake and tending the English-style garden created in their back yard. They traveled overseas several times, often with a large group of their friends. They visited England together for the last time in the summer of 2013. For fifty years, Joan played in one or two bridge groups every week. All her life, she avidly enjoyed reading books and watching movies.
In recent years, Joan’s greatest joy was spoiling her grandkids: Niko, Shannon, and Derek. She was their beloved Nana, extremely generous and always ready with sweet treats.
Joan and Jim were married for fifty-six years until his death in 2013. She missed him every single day. Now, they are reunited for all time and eternity. She was loved and admired by her family and by a multitude of friends. She will be greatly missed by all.
Cremation services are under the direction of Parker Funeral Home. Per Joan’s request, the family will have a private graveside service. There will be a Memorial Reception on Friday, September 29, 4:30 to 6:30 in the parish hall at St. Philips Episcopal Church of Joplin. The ladies of the church will serve refreshments. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the church.
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