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Emma Jane Chandler was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 13, 1928, the daughter of 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 successful soldier who had returned to finish his degree. Jane and Bob were married on August 26, 1947, and enjoyed a happy 68 years of marriage before Bob’s death in 2015. When Bob graduated, the newlyweds moved to Nashville and then Michigan for college. Bob’s grad; Jane’s studies were suspended. 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 undone, and she eventually graduated from UGA with a BA in Education in 1957, while raising two children herself. Jane died peacefully in her sleep on Easter morning, April 9, 2023, four days short of her 95th birthday. Her parents, her husband and her grandson, David Shaw, predeceased her.

Jane was a wonderful mother, cook, chauffeur, seamstress, and general entertainer to her five children: Barbara (John) Wyle; Bob Bowen III; Beth (Scott) Shaw; Bonnie (Jeff) Turner; and Bruce (Rebecca) Bowen. Jane was blessed with a set of loving grandchildren: Scott (Meghan) Hudgins; Maria Kathryn (Andres) Barnet; Alex Bowen (Alanna Weber); granddaughter-in-law Jami Shaw; Christine Shaw (Michael Weingartner); Jeffrey and John Robert Turner; and Micah and Caroline Bowen. Jane also enjoyed visiting with and listening to her six great-grandchildren: Andrew and Ansley Hudgins; Sylvan, Alice and Leo Barnett; 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 her talents in the Thrift House, Altar Guild, Choir, Vestry, Stephen Ministry and Interfaith Hospitality Network. Within the community, she served in Clarke County Schools PTAs for over 25 years and as Co-President (with Bob) of the Clarke Central High School PTA. She was president of the UGA Women’s Newcomer 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 of the League of Women Voters. In recognition, the Athens Youth League presented Jane with the 2001 Community Service Award. But as anyone who knew her knows, awards or recognition were never her goal; Her works were always an expression of her servant’s heart.

Jane’s family would like to thank all the special caretakers at Talmage Terrace who have 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 am with a reception to follow.

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).