Joyce L. Bowman

Joyce L. Bowman, 92, of Urbana, passed away Monday morning, October 13, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born in Frankfort, Ohio, November 26,1932, a daughter of Jesse L. and Audrey Irene Robinson.

A 1952 graduate of Frankfort High School, Joyce began work at the First National Bank, Springfield, OH, as a loan officer. She also worked for Parker Sweeper, and a place where they sewed fabric lining for NASA Apollo space capsules. She would talk about a little piece of her work that made it into space.

In 1972, Joyce came to Urbana with her family to serve as an apartment manager for Ted Teach. From there, through the years and up until her death, she worked for several owners of buildings on Maple Tree Lane, Terry Lane, East Lawn Avenue, Finch Street and Berwick. Besides the managerial duties, she painted and cleaned those apartments up until recent years. She took great pride in her work. Joyce liked to garden, read books, and took great pleasure in watching and feeding the birds, butterflies, squirrels and the deer in the backyard. The deer were fond of the apples she would roll out to them.

Her most pride came from her three children: daughter, Cathy J. of Viera, FL, daughter, Karen L. of Worthington, OH and a son Douglas (Kelly) of Hilliard, OH. She was known as “Grammy” to grandson Tyler (Miranda) of Calhoun, Ga and granddaughter Kaitlyn of Hillard, OH.

Raising her three children by herself, she enabled them to be successful in their careers with her own work ethic and advice. While she was immensely proud of them, they were grateful to have her as their hero, one who didn’t need a cape. She faced the battles life throws with strong will determination and a don’t give up attitude.

She is survived by her three children, a sister, Dorothy Summers of Frankfort, OH as well as several nieces including her special niece, Cindy Stevens of Chillicothe, OH and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Harry and Ronald Robinson.

Services will be held later at a date convenient for the family. She will be sorely missed by her family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Parkinson’s Foundation or Wildlife Conservation Foundation for Ohio in her memory.