Zelda Joyce Bowman

Our beloved Joyce passed away on Dec. 7, 2022 in Modesto CA.   Joyce was born in Portales, New Mexico to James “Cint” and Lena Dodgin on Sept 5th, 1936.  She is survived by her son and daughter; Jim (and Jennifer) Bowman, Debbie (and Ben) Lanford.  Her son Kenneth preceeded her in death. Joyce was the second to the oldest of 5 siblings.  When she was a young age, her family moved from New Mexico to Gilroy CA where they were farmers and ranchers.  They then moved to Hollister, CA where she attended grade school and high School at San Benito High. 

After graduating High School, Joyce married Sterling on June 30, 1955.  They lived in the Mojave Desert for a time, while Sterling was in the Air Force.  In 1959, they settled in San Jose, CA, where they bought a home.  Joyce was a devoted mother to her three young children.  She started working outside the home in 1973 when she went to work for JC Penney in downtown San Jose.  Shortly after, she would transfer to the new Penney’s in the new and exciting Eastridge Mall. 

Joyce and Sterling had many great adventures with good friends Bobbi and Frank Kincheloe, particularly with their motorcycle trips across the US.  She often talked of these travels and the fun they had seeing some beautiful places.

Joyce and Sterling bought 10 acres of property in Mokelumne Hill, CA and spent many years creating the “Ranch.”  Joyce was very resilient, determined, adventurous and brave.  She learned to raise cattle, pigs, goats, chickens, geese, a horse and donkey and various dogs and cats.  She also had a large garden and small variety orchard.  She canned and preserved many delicious foods from the land.  It is during this time, Joyce joined the LDS Church in San Andreas.  She and Sterling became active in the church community, holding various positions.  She made many wonderful friends in the area.

After Sterling passed in 2003, Joyce moved back to Hollister with her 90 year old mother.   There she resided until moving to Modesto, CA in 2016, at the age of 80!  There, she continued her love of gardening, planting tomatoes, peppers and zucchini every year.  Joyce continued sewing and was able to learn to embroider on a computerized machine. 

More than anything else, Joyce loved family and friends.  She loved her 4 grandsons, Daniel, Clint, Garret, and Luke, 2 great grandsons, Brice and Conner Bowman and 2 great granddaughters, Mayleigh and Hazel. .  She made every effort to keep a promise made to Grandma Dodgin to keep the family connected.  She loved the reunions and gatherings and was always up for a good outdoor game, or cards, dominos, or anything else, really.  In recent years, Joyce enjoyed going out to lunch, trying a different place each time. 

While going through some things recently, Joyce’s high school picture was found in a plastic wallet insert.  On the back of the photo was written “Dear Sterling, To the One that I will never forget.  Maybe things will turn out alright.”  Seems like she was spot on!

ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS – REST IN PEACE

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.