Jill Koch

Our community has lost someone special. Jill Ann Bowden Koch, age 64, of Elizabeth City, NC, died at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center on Thursday, January 15, 2026. She was born in Northampton County, VA, on February 8, 1961, to Carolyn Gladden Bowden and the late Kirby R. Bowden. She was the wife of Charles “Richard” Koch, Jr. Jill was the owner of Photography By Jill, capturing a lifetime of memories for so many families within this community. So many children grew up in front of her lens. She loved watching them grow, capturing portraits and photographs of various milestones throughout their lives such as births, graduations, weddings, and family reunions. She loved her dog, Brinkley, like her child. Jill had a special love of Silver Beach, VA and she and Richard spent time there making countless memories.

In addition to her mother and husband, she is survived by a niece, Kirby Thornton; two nephews, Michael Thornton and Wyatt Thornton; and many extended family members and friends. In addition to her father, she was predeceased by a sister, Heidi Bowden Thornton.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church, 700 N. Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, officiated by the Rev. Caleb Bass. There will be a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall. A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Exmore Moose Lodge, 15315 Merry Cat Lane, Belle Haven, VA 23306, with Reverend Randy Timmerman officiating. The family invites you to a reception following at the Exmore Moose Lodge. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Belle Haven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jill’s name to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate.html), P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www. Doughtyfuneralhome.com.

Local arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore, Virginia.