Barbara Susan Bowman

Barbara Susan (Graham) Bowman

February 7 1938 -October 16 2017

 It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara Susan Bowman announces her passing on Monday, October 16, 2017 at the age of 79 years in Oroville California.  Barbara will lovingly be remembered by her daughter, Theresa Smith (Gary) grandchildren, Nicole Thomas, Jennifer Smith and Cody Smith, great- grandchildren, Ryder and Nolan Filice.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin L. Graham and Martha M. Wittmer, and brothers Gene (Carole) Graham and James (Helga) Graham.  Barbara was born February 7, 1938 in Bellevue, Pennsylvania. In 1940 her parents relocated to the San Fernando Valley where she attended both Grammar and High School.  By the age of 6, Barbara learned to ride horses and shared her father’s love for Quarter Horse Racing. She went on to join the Oroville Pageant Riders Club and took pleasure in many trail rides with her beloved horse “Barlemac”.   In 1958 Barbara met Hugh Sherwood Bowman and the two were wed on December 27, 1958 and settled in Durham California.   While living in Durham in 1961 Barbara furthered her education and received a Business Degree at Yuba College. Early July of 1966, the couple decided to adopt a baby girl and move to Oroville California where Barbara became a lifelong resident.  In 1974 Hugh passed away and Barbara went to work as a Legal Secretary and Public Notary for the Law Office of Jordan Peckham in Chico California. In 1980 Barbara moved to Yuba City where she worked and retired from the Yuba Sutter Mental Health Facility as a Medical Transcriber.  With dreams of traveling Barbara spent much of her time in the Bay of Monterey. Missing her home she returned to Oroville in 1994 and that is where Barbara found she enjoyed being the most. She was an avid reader, knowable on the history of Butte County and had a love for her community and the people that surrounded it.  She was an OWID board member in the late 1970's, an enthusiastic poll worker during the Butte County Elections and was a strong supporter in local and community organizations.  Barbara was a person of great pride, integrity, and, a political advocate for causes she truly believed in.  Arrangements are under the direction of Scheer Memorial Chapel in Oroville California.  A Private Service will be held at the Browns Valley Cemetery in Browns Valley California. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the UC Davis Cardiac Team (Dr. Nolan Gihle), Oroville Hospital (Dr. Deepak Khanna) as well as Gail and John Johnson for the love, kindness and friendship you have shared with my mom throughout the years.  The family requests memorial donations be made to: Paws of Oroville, 3557 Oroville Dam Blvd, Oroville CA 95966

Sweet Mom, you have given me the greatest gift of all, the gift of unconditional love every minute of my life.  I will carry memories of you in my heart.  I will find strength and comfort knowing it’s just a few suns and a couple of moons until I can hug you again. 

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