News Summary
The Jacksonville community mourns the recent loss of beloved residents Betty Bond Seibert and Gloria Horne Bowden. Both women, known for their kindness and contributions to the community, left a lasting impact on their families and friends. Betty, a dedicated mother and gardener, passed away at 69, while Gloria, known for her compassion towards animals, passed away peacefully at 91. Private memorial services will be held for both, honoring their memories and the love they shared with those around them.
Jacksonville, Florida – The communities of Jacksonville are honoring the memories of two cherished residents, Betty Bond Seibert and Gloria Horne Bowden, who both passed away recently.
Betty Bond Seibert
Betty Bond Seibert passed away at home, surrounded by her loved ones, on October 16, 2025, at the age of 69. A beloved resident of Jacksonville, Florida, Betty dedicated her life to being a stay-at-home mother and spent her free time indulging her love of the outdoors and nurturing her garden.
She is survived by her life partner, Len Seibert, and her two daughters, Rachel (Gary) Stadler and Robin (Mike) Craig. Betty was also a proud grandmother, leaving behind seven grandchildren: Willie, Wesley, and Warren (Cassidy) Campbell; Whitney (Trinity) Thomas; Ryan Miller; and Renee and Richard Seibert. The family was further blessed with the addition of a great-grandson, Kieran.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Raleigh and Naomi Bond, and her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Merrill Slaughter. She leaves behind her siblings, a brother, Jerry (Tessie) Bond, and a sister, Carol (Mike) Welch.
A private memorial service for Betty will be held at a later date, allowing family and friends to gather in her memory.
Gloria Horne Bowden
Gloria Horne Bowden, who was known for her loving nature and compassion for animals, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 23, 2024, at the age of 91. Gloria was born on December 26, 1932, in Willimantic, Connecticut, and moved to Florida later in life, where she became a strong, independent woman and a loving mother and wife.
She was the widow of William Bowden Jr. and is survived by three children: Theodore Irving Bowden, Tammy Lynn Zier, and Nancy Yvonne Winters. Gloria was a doting grandmother to nine grandchildren: Trent Bowden, Cami Dettmer, Brad Bowden, Chris Marvin, Cameron Winters, Carter Winters, Cooper Winters, Abigail Winters, and Addison Winters. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.
Gloria worked for ten years as a school crossing guard for the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and continued to dedicate her time post-retirement to caring for feral cat communities in Middleburg, highlighting her kindness and concern for animals.
She was predeceased by her husband, William Bowden Jr., and her son, Michael William Bowden. Gloria will be laid to rest alongside her husband. Graveside services will take place at Mandarin Cemetery on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 1 PM. The cemetery is located at 12135 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223.
Honoring Their Memory
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gloria’s name can be made to the Jacksonville Humane Society, reflecting her lifelong passion for animal welfare. Condolences can be sent to 993 West Tennessee Trace, St. Johns FL 32259.
Both families ask for privacy during these difficult times as they celebrate the lives of Betty and Gloria, cherished women who made lasting impacts on their loved ones and communities.
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Additional Resources
- Tribute Archive: Juanita McGriff
- Google Search: Betty Bond Seibert
- Dignity Memorial: Gloria Bowden
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville, Florida
- Legacy: Patricia Robertson
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
