Nioka Marie "Tank" (Bowens) White

Nioka Marie “Tank” Bowens White, 62, of Kistler, WV, went to her heavenly home on Friday, August 20, 2021, from Logan Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

She was born May 17, 1959, at Chicago, IL, to the late Charles Walker Bowens and Charlotte Ball Bowens.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Charles Lewis and John D. Bowens; one granddaughter, Salenna Brooke Grimmett; one son-in-law, Mose “Allen” Wright; and her parents-in-law, whom she loved dearly, James and Lillie Queen White, Sr.

Nioka was the rose of her family. She helped anyone and everyone she could. When family and friends needed something, Nioka was their go-to person. Every day was a special occasion. She loved being around her family, taking spur of the moment drives with her husband, sitting on the porch or in her chair while watching her great-grandbabies play. She loved going to church when she was able to go.

Nioka was a headstart bus driver at Gilbert, WV, for 10 years. She also was a headstart bus driver for PRIDE for 20 years. She loved all her babies and never forgot them.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband and love of her life for 44 years, Forrest White, Sr.; two daughters, Charlotte (Tommy) Ward and Marie (Allen) Grimmett; two sons, Teddy (Nikki Davis) Browning and Forrest (Janie) White, Jr.; eleven grandchildren, Talenna and Charles Grimmett, Courtney (Jacob) Brown, Briana (Zack) Vance, Amber (Ronnie) Hoosier, Hannah and Caleb Ward, Autumn Gibson, Tori White, and Marcus and Olivia Amburgey; eleven great-grandchildren, Cheyenne and Noah Amburgey, Kayleigh Deel, A’leigh Grimmett, Scarlette Vance, Eli and Kolton Brown, Amiya and Brycen Hoosier, Elleck Hunt, Aubrey Grimmett, and Baby Brown on the way; one brother, Charles Bowens of Greenvalley, WV; two sisters, Jacqueline Collins of Greenvalley, WV, and Carolyn (Butch Preston) Meade of Kistler, WV; two special friends whom she held dear to her heart and considered sisters, Patty Lamb and Elaine Barker; special sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lynda and Bill Simpkins, Jack and Pat White, Frank and Carol White, and Sue Walker. Additionally, Nioka also leaves behind many nieces and nephews along with a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 27, 2021, at the Lyburn Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Jody Brown and Rev. Jacob Brown officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services Friday at the church.

To honor Nioka’s wishes, her remains will be cremated following the services.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Evans Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Chapmanville, WV.

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