Judith Bray Bowman

Judith "Judy Carol" Bray Bowman, 82, of Petersburg, Virginia, departed this earth and went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. Her legacy is one of boundless love and kindness, shared generously with her family, friends, and the many children she taught throughout her over 40 year career as an educator.

Judith was the daughter of the late Frank W. and Pearl Young Bray and sister to Barbara Bray Knowles, who shared her love for education and remained close with her throughout her life. Judith was a vibrant child who played basketball during her high school years and loved to sing with her father for various church congregations throughout the Tri-Cities. She was honored as Miss Petersburg in 1962 and runner up to Miss Virginia in 1963. Judith attended Ferrum College and completed her degree in social work at Richmond Professional Institute (Virginia Commonwealth University).

She began her career in education with Dinwiddie Public Schools and retired in 2006 following many years at Walnut Hill Elementary School in Petersburg. She committed to change grades every few years to ensure she would continuously evolve and improve upon her methods, ultimately teaching grades K-6th at various points through her career. Known as Captain Bowman to her students, she was a gifted educator with a passion for focusing on the whole child, instilling confidence and love of learning. She always gave credit to her Heavenly Father for her profound insight and success with her many students. Upon retirement, Judith continued her passion for education through her time spent with her grandchildren where she enjoyed tutoring them and helping with school assignments.

Judith had a passion for interior design, landscaping, and decorating for weddings and events. She formed many cherished friendships through sharing her gift and thoroughly enjoyed helping others find joy and peace through creating beauty in their home and in everyday life.

Those that knew Judith knew of her strong relationship with her Heavenly Father as she loved to share her boundless joy and love through Christ Jesus with everyone she met. She ensured that her sons and grandchildren had a strong foundation of faith in the Lord and could often be found sharing her faith with others that she met walking through everyday life.

She is survived by her two sons, Robert Bowman, V (Elle), and Hunter Bowman (Aleisha); six grandchildren, Lauren Bowman, Jacob Bowman, Everett Bowman, Addisyn Mijares, Avery Mijares, Berkeley Bowman; and two nephews, Malcom Knowles, Jr., and Dr. Chad Knowles (Melanie).

A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Blandford Cemetery, 319 S. Crater Rd., Petersburg, VA 23803. Following the service, family and friends are invited to a reception to celebrate Judith's life at West End Baptist Church, 6506 Boydton Plank Rd. North Dinwiddie, VA 23803. The family is being served by the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com