THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 23, 1994 TAG: 9411190631
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
EVERY TIME DEBRA BOWDEN thinks she's heard it all as a 20-year veteran courtroom reporter, something new comes along.
Take the two men, dressed as women, who were tried on shoplifting charges in Isle of Wight County. When they were sent to jail and were about to be searched by a woman jailer, they told her, ``You can't search us because we're men,'' Bowden recalled.
For her, the number of stories is practically endless. Bowden works as a court reporter in Isle of Wight, Sussex, Southampton and Surry counties as well as Suffolk, Chesapeake and Portsmouth.
Using a special dictation machine, Bowden's job is to record everything that is said in the courtroom for court records.
``I like the idea of working in a different place every day,'' she says.
She also enjoys the variety of cases.
``I can't imagine doing anything else. And I never wake up and think, `I don't want to go to work.'
``I love my work.''
Name: Debra D. Bowden
What brought you to Isle of Wight? My husband's employment in 1984. We stayed because it was centrally located to both our jobs, and we like it here.
Hometown: Suffolk
Birthdate: May 24, 1955
Occupation: Court reporter
Marital status: Married 16 years to Talmadge.
Children: Daughter Neysa, 14, and stepson George, 22.
Favorite movies: ``The Big Easy'' and ``Dances With Wolves.''
Favorite magazine: Reader's Digest
A book you wish everyone would read: I think everyone should read anything. The important thing is that they read. My personal favorites are anything by Dick Francis or Patricia Cornwell.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner at a good seafood restaurant with my family and friends.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Captain George's
Favorite food and drink: Seafood and a toasted almond.
Few people know . . . that I hate housekeeping. Or, maybe they do know.
What's the best thing about yourself? That I'm very happy with my job, my family and my life in general.
Worst habit: Keeping my car a mess.
First thing in the morning: I let the dogs out, start a pot of coffee and turn on the local news.
Pets: Two dachshunds, a lab and springer and an Arabian stallion.
Hobbies: Riding, sewing and needlework, computers and watching my daughter show her hunter ponies.
Ideal vacation: I haven't been on one yet, but I'd love to go on a cattle drive.
Pet peeve: People who leave their shopping carts in the parking lot.
First job: Working in an insurance office.
Worst job: I can't say I've really had one. I've done everything from selling diamonds to running auto parts. I've learned something from all my jobs, and I've always worked for good people.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Doing the best I can at the job I do and raising a daughter that I'm proud of.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``She wasn't perfect, but she always tried hard.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by JODY R. SNIDER
by CNB