HLS 13RS-3839 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 172
BY REPRESENTATIVE BURRELL AND SENATOR GALLOT
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Caddo Parish Commissioner
Joyce Bowman
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express heartfelt measures of condolences upon the death of Caddo Parish Commissioner2
Joyce Bowman.3
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and great sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana4
has learned of the death of Caddo Parish Commissioner Joyce Bowman, on Sunday, May 26,5
2013, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and it is fitting to recognize and record for posterity the6
unique and wonderful legacy of public service and civic engagement that Commissioner7
Bowman leaves behind; and8
WHEREAS, few individuals have had such a profound impact on their community9
and it is appropriate to extend to her family and constituents the sincerest and most profound10
condolences upon the loss of this extraordinary and courageous woman; and11
WHEREAS, Joyce Marie McLemore was born on January 12, 1953, to the union of12
the late Huey Bryant and Willie McLemore in Houston, Texas; and13
WHEREAS, Joyce was lovingly raised by her maternal grandmother, Frankie L.14
Chism, and her paternal grandmother, Gertrude Bryant, in the Hollywood and Hollywood15
Heights communities in Shreveport, Louisiana; and16
WHEREAS, Joyce accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and stood17
strongly and steadfastly in her faith for the remainder of her life, particularly after her18
diagnosis of cancer; and19
WHEREAS, a noted track star and champion swimmer, she graduated in 1970 from20
Bethune High School; and21 HLS 13RS-3839 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman worked as a licensed practical nurse at Doctor's Hospital1
and later as a nursing administrator at Highland Hospital for twenty-three years; and2
WHEREAS, with much thought and prayer, Mrs. Bowman offered herself as a3
dedicated and deliberate public servant to the Caddo Parish community in 1999 when she4
ran for the District 5 seat on the Caddo Parish Commission; and5
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman was elected and reelected and served on the Caddo6
Parish Commission until 2006, when she stepped down to run for a seat on the Shreveport7
City Council in District G; and8
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman proudly and effectively served on the Shreveport City9
Council until 2010, when she again stepped down and later returned to the Caddo Parish10
Commission, representing District 5 from 2011 until her death; and11
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman's ambitions were to represent the citizens of House12
District 2 in the Louisiana House of Representatives, currently held by her friend State13
Representative Roy Burrell, and if her health would have allowed it, she would have run for14
the seat in 2015; and15
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman is preceded in death by her father, Huey Bryant, and one16
sister, Frankie McLemore Hunter; and17
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman leaves to cherish her precious memory her mother, Willie18
McLemore; her husband of thirty-eight years, Jerry Dan Bowman, Sr.; two sons, Jerry Dan19
Bowman, Jr., and wife Ursula and Jerald DeShun Bowman; two grandchildren, Rodrick20
Stevenson and Jeryn Bowman; special friends Kenneth Davidson and Faye Norfleet; two21
aunts, Blanche Harrison and Lois Hughes; and a host of admiring family, friends, and loved22
ones; and23
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman wished to be remembered as "a woman who loved God24
first, then as a mother who loved her children more than they would ever know, and then as25
a public servant who really was in it for the citizens, who spoke out in spite of threats or26
other tactics"; and27
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bowman was a trailblazer, a fighter, and a champion for her28
community, and she made history as the first black woman to serve as president of both the29
Caddo Parish Commission and the Shreveport City Council; and30 HLS 13RS-3839 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Commissioner Bowman was widely respected and admired for her1
fierce advocacy on behalf of her constituents, unwavering dedication to effective and2
efficient government, and competent and compassionate leadership, and she was recognized3
countless times by many civic and local organizations; and4
WHEREAS, Commissioner Bowman was a woman whose generosity, smile, and5
loving heart have left an indelible mark on the many people whose lives she touched; and6
WHEREAS, throughout her battle with cancer, Commissioner Bowman lived every7
day by the words of 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course,8
I have kept the faith"; and9
WHEREAS, the death of Commissioner Bowman has left a tremendous void in her10
community and has created a genuine sense of sorrow in all who knew her, and she leaves11
behind a rich legacy of tenacity, courage, determination, and integrity and will forever be12
remembered for the contributions she made to Caddo Parish.13
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby14
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Caddo Parish Commissioner15
Joyce Bowman, does hereby recognize her achievements and singular contributions to the16
city of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, does hereby record for posterity her remarkable gifts17
and profound talent, her outstanding abilities, and her generosity and kindness, does hereby18
extend enduring appreciation for the pride and honor that this extraordinary woman will19
forever bring to her family and friends, her community, and the state of Louisiana, and does20
hereby express the deep regret of the entire state upon the loss of this phenomenal woman.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted22
to the family of Joyce Bowman.23
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Burrell HCR No. 172
Expresses the condolences of the legislature upon the death of Caddo Parish Commissioner
Joyce Bowman.