Mrs. Josephine C Bowen- Gardner

Josephine Bowen-Gardner was born May'.5th, 1960, in Pass Christian, Mississippi, to Kathleen Parrott and David Brooks.

Josephine accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized. In 1969, Josephine and her family relocated to Evanston, IL where she attended the Evanston Public School System. It was during this time she found a love for singing and directing which would ignite her future in church and community choirs. She graduated from Evanston Township High School (ETHS) in 1979. While attending ETHS Josephine was one of the first members of the Project Advancement Gospel Ensemble (P.A.G.E).

Early on, Josephine attended Tabernacle Baptist Church in Evanston where she was a member of the church choir. In 1973, she joined Bethel A.M.E Church.

During her time at Bethel, she sang with the Adult Ensemble and became one of the directors of the Janie Wideman Lamb's Choir. Josephine's love for music would take her to Germany to sing with Peden Gospel Services (PGS) as well as participate in other Chicagoland community choirs such as Deep Faith Ministries and the Evanston Community Ensemble (E.C.E).

Josephine was well known for her love of children. For 25 years she provided daycare services to families in the Evanston area looking for a safe, educational, and loving environment for their children. It was through this work that she built lifelong friendships and made a positive impact on countless lives and families.

Josephine met Rodney (Rocco) Gardner, in 2010, through a mutual friend and they married in 2011. Their union was full oflove, laughter, and memories for a lifetime.

Josephine lived a life devoted to her family, friends, and serving others. Whether through a call to check in, a warm meal, ear to listen or wise counsel, she was always there. She was loving, compassionate, intentional, and beautiful all around. To her family she was the glue godchildren, and many other relatives and friends.            ,,

She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted husband Rodney (Rocco) Gardner, two sons: Rodney C. Bowen Jr (Faith), and Randall C. Bowen, four grandchildren: Makaela Anita Bowen, Janelle Imani Bow n, Rodney Joseph Bowen, and Jace Jean Bowen, two siblings: Lewis Hill, and Karn Lewis, nieces and nephews. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette~ Funeral Director

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