JoAnne Bowman Stout

JoAnne Bowman Stout was born on September, 21st, 1928, in Cotton Valley, Louisiana to Henry and Clara Bowman. Her parents moved to east Texas while JoAnne was still a baby to find employment in the east Texas oil boom, during the years of the Great Depression She grew up and completed her education in Carlisle, Texas in the house her father built. JoAnne was the eldest of 3 siblings— Jo, Nell, and Ronnie. It was in Carlisle that JoAnne met Earl Douglas Stout. They went through school together, graduating in 1945. JoAnne married Earl, the love of her life, in 1951. They were married for 65 years, until Earl’s death in 2017. Before marriage, JoAnne attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, where she earned her teaching degree. She taught 4th graders in both Seminole, and Gladewater, Texas. She retired from teaching after marrying Earl and moved first to Lubbock, while Earl pursued his master’s degree, and then down to Houston, to support him in his early career. She became a mother in 1954, welcoming her son, Mark. Three years later, she welcomed her daughter Kerri. Her marriage and the birth of her children were the beginning of a long and amazing life chapter for her—one of building a wonderful home and life for both her husband and her children. She did so with dedication, love, wisdom, skill, and great joy. JoAnne moved to England with her family in the early 1970s, following a job promotion for Earl. For JoAnne, this move sparked a new interest and great appreciation for English Country antiques. Through self-study and travel within England, she became an expert in period antiques! Living abroad also opened up other travel opportunities for JoAnne-which included visits to multiple European countries and even to Asia and Africa! Upon her return home to the United States, JoAnne started an antiques business under the name of Thistle Antiques. She operated a storefront in Houston, Texas for several years. When Earl retired, JoAnne sold the shop and found great pleasure in decorating her own beautiful retirement home on the lake, in East Texas, which was a return to living in the region near her childhood home. She was blessed with 40 more (post-retirement) years of enjoying her husband, family, friends, church, gardening, volunteer work, and travel. JoAnne was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Douglas Stout, her parents, Henry and Clara Bowman, by her sister, Nell Ruth Hayes, and by her son, Mark David Stout. She leaves a legacy behind in her brother, Ron Bowman (and his late wife, Dolores) her daughter Kerri Rhodes (and son-in-law Ron) her grandson David Rhodes, granddaughter Kylie Choisnet (and Kylie’s husband Douglas), her nieces, Traci Duncan and Ronda Toon, one nephew, Barry Bowman, and 3 great grandsons—Carter, Bennett, and Weston, who were a source of great pleasure to her and many bright smiles in her last years. JoAnne was able to enjoy her beautiful lake view up until the Lord took her home to heaven, at the age of 97. JoAnne truly lived out the Christian example of love in action! She will be greatly missed and forever cherished by her family and friends!

JoAnne Bowman Stout

September 21, 1928 - December 25, 2025