Emma Elizabeth Bowen

Emma Elizabeth Bowen, 75, of Portsmouth, died on Sunday, December 31, 2017, at Portsmouth Health & Rehabilitation. She was born to her late and beloved parents, Mary Virginia (Wildey) Bowen and Joseph Nickolson Bowen. She was predeceased in death by her beloved brother, John Abington Bowen. She is survived by some cousins from both sides of her family and some dear friends. She attended Portsmouth Public Schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1960, where she was on the newspaper and yearbook staff. Emma received a B.A. Degree in English from Old Dominion University in 1964, where she was on the staff of the college newspaper and a representative on the Inter-Sorority Council from her membership in Virginia Epsilon social sorority. She also received a M.S. Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the College of William and Mary in 1972, where she was inducted into Kappa Delta Phi scholastic fraternity. Selection for membership into this fraternity was based on scholastic achievement and a recommendation from a member of the faculty. She retired from the Portsmouth Department of Social Services after approximately 40 years of employment, 33 years as a full-time employee and the remaining years in part-time employment as a retiree. She had a very extensive employment history, working as a Social Worker in child protective services, employment services, adoption, court services, family services, and day care, and with the community and media from her job titles as Special Projects Coordinator, Public Relations Coordinator, Community Resources Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator. She was the editor of the agency newsletter, Focus, for 5 years, a monthly publication with a circulation of 5,000. She served as Chairperson of the city-wide Multi-Discipline Team for child abuse/neglect and was first Chairperson of ACOD (Advisory Committee to the Office of the Director). She made many contributions to the agency and professional organizations in the Social Work field, such as being Publicity Chairperson for both the Tidewater and State jurisdictions for the Virginia Council on Social Welfare (VCSW) and Arrangements Chairperson for a state conference held in Norfolk. She was named “Employee of the Month” in August, 1992, and featured in the Virginian Pilot newspaper for her work-related activities. Emma was a life-long member of Monumental United Methodist Church and a member of the Portsmouth Kiwanis Club and the Portsmouth Executives Club. Also, she was an activity planner for Tidewater Singles, a social club for single people in the Tidewater area. Emma enjoyed giving parties and planning social functions, and became very adept at this. She was a friendly, kind, thoughtful, and generous person. Her priority was her family and friends, but she gave regularly to charities seeking her help. She adored her family and had a very close, loving, and caring relationship with them, a beautiful family life over the years. She served as a personal caretaker for her mother, father, and brother and got in-home care services for her brother and herself when the need arose. As Emma requested there will be no funeral. Burial will be private and held in Olive Branch Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Monumental United Methodist Church, at 450 Dinwiddie Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704. A memorial service will be held at 11am Tuesday in Centenary United Methodist Church 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703.