WILMINGTON — Ruby Jean Bowen Whitman, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the morning of June 24, 2024 at her home in Myrtle Grove, Wilmington, North Carolina after a long illness.
Ruby Jean Bowen was born on June 17, 1938 in Wilmington, NC to Ruby Aline Evans and Eugene Leamon Bowen. Jean, as she was affectionately called by friends, married her high school sweetheart, Robert Howard Whitman, Jr. in 1955 and quickly started a family. While her children were younger, she was a homemaker and raised and trained German Shepherds. Later, she worked for many years in customer service at K-mart in Wilmington. She was a longtime member of Long Leaf Baptist Church.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Joyce Collins, Carolyn Bowen, and Senie Blume, brother: James Leamon Bowen, and by her beloved children: Victoria Joanne Whitman, Kenneth Ray Whitman, and Carla Jo Whitman Stephens. She is survived by her loving husband, Howard Whitman, of the home, son, Scott D. [Jen] Whitman, also of the home, and brother Gaither [Shelia] Deitz. She leaves behind cherished grandchildren: Jason Whitman, Amanda Mills, Ashley Stephens, Alex Whitman, Gabriel , Kira, and Azriella Whitman, as well as great-grandchildren Cameron, Cooper, and Cohen Whitman and Kirsten, Johnathen, and Branden Mills. She also leaves behind a multitude of much loved cousins, friends, nieces, and nephews.
Before she became very ill, Jean enjoyed gardening, reading, raising and training dogs, collecting dolls, and doing crafts. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren most of all. She will be remembered for her fierce protectiveness of her children and grandchildren, her beautiful smile that could light up a room, and her love and care for all children.
A funeral service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Andrews Valley Chapel. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
