Myrna May Shepherd Bowen, 85, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away in her sleep on April 20, 2019 in Suffolk, Virginia. The youngest of four children, Myrna was born to Millicent and George Shepherd in Mount Hope, Wisconsin. She later became a frequent traveler after marrying Ret. LTC C. R. Bowen (Don), whose position in the United States Army took their family all over the country and beyond, though she spent most of her years between Wisconsin and Hampton Roads, Virginia.  She was a member of Magnolia United Methodist Church.

Myrna was a colorful woman, both figuratively and literally. She loved to wear fun clothes and jewelry and dyed her red hair an even deeper shade of fire. Whenever questioned about the degree to which her socks matched her shirt, she would simply reply, "I planned it that way."

A sharp, sensitive, and supremely caring woman, Myrna excelled at many artistic endeavors. She was a fabulous cook and seamstress and she dabbled in painting and pottery. She often enjoyed playing cards with friends and spending time with her grandchildren, taking them to the park, watching reruns of the Twilight Zone and the Star Wars movies and cooking them their favorite foods.

Above all else, Myrna devoted her life to caring for her family. She will be missed and fondly remembered as a perfectly imperfect woman with a lot of heart and character, as Red, Mom and Grandma B to those who loved her best.

Myrna is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ret. LTC C. R. Bowen (Don); children, Catherine Mingo (John Laskowski) and Thomas Bowen (Theresa); grandchildren Amanda Schreiber (Seth), Zachary Bowen (Chandler) and Bob Laskowski; and great-grandson, Fisher Bowen.

Myrna's celebration of life will be 2:00 pm, Friday, April 26, 2019 at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory with Pastor Mike Harrington officiating. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Diabetes Association, 879 Greenbrier Circle, Green Tower II, Suite 404, Chesapeake, VA 23320.