Jessica Lynn Bova

WARREN-Jessica Lynn Bova, 39, passed away on April 28, 2026, at St. Joseph Hospital. Jessica, affectionately known as "BOVA" to many, was born on October 20, 1986, a daughter of Gregory Lawrence and Michele (Bova) Cox. A lifelong area resident, Jessica was a graduate of Champion High School, Class of 2005, and attended Youngstown State University, where she studied Special Education.

Jessica’s life was marked by both hardship and remarkable perseverance. For more than 20 years, she battled addiction before finding recovery through God. In August of 2024, she graduated from Hannah’s House, a one-year recovery program for women, and from that point forward she embraced a new beginning with determination, strength, and hope. Through her recovery, Jessica experienced the healing that so many hope and pray for and reconnected with her family and children. She was so thankful for becoming the mom she always hoped she could be for her three sons. Jessica attended meetings daily and remained faithful in her recovery for three years.

Jessica enjoyed sharing her story and testimony in hopes of helping others reclaim their lives. She understood the power of faith and perseverance, and she used her own journey to encourage those who were struggling. Jessica enjoyed experiencing every milestone motherhood brought, being present in her children’s lives, working in the recovery field, spending time with her life-long best friend, her sister, and living every minute of the life she fought for. Jessica worked at the Warren Family Mission after graduating from Hannah’s House, where she enjoyed giving back to her community any way she could. She then began working at a local nursing home, while she completed education to earn her Certified Peer Specialist certificate through Thrive Peer Recovery Services. After, she began helping others find their own path to recovery and healing while working as a Peer Support Specialist at New Day Recovery in Niles. Her journey to recovery made her a source of hope for many, and she was proud to use her story to lift others up.

This past February, Jessica was diagnosed with cancer, and she faced that battle with the same strength and determination she had shown in overcoming addiction. Looking toward the future with hope, she received her certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant just last month, to help even more people while continuing to pass on her message that recovery IS possible. Since 2023, she was a faithful and active member of Celebrate Recovery at Grace Fellowship Church and Harvest Christian Church. She found joy in serving the churches as a sound and light technician during worship. Her faith gave her strength, guided her recovery, and shaped the way she loved and encouraged others. Jessica leaves behind a legacy of faith, recovery, and service that will continue to inspire those who heard her story and witnessed her transformation.

Jessica leaves to carry on her memory, her mother, Michele (Ron) Cox of Niles; her sons, U.S. Army Reserve Specialist Jason Bova of Champion, Dominic Bova of Niles, and Steven Bova of Niles; siblings, Brian (Amanda) Rothbauer of Struthers, Matt Toro of Howland, and baby sister Allie Bova of Warren; niece, Gianna Toro; many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her fiancé, Melvin Young of Warren, whom she loved so deeply and effortlessly.

Jessica was preceded in death by her father, Gregory Lawrence and maternal grandparents, Joe and Millie Bova, who were instrumental in helping raise her and molding her into the beautiful woman she became.

Family and friends will be received from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Believers Chapel, 2609 Weir Rd. NE, Warren, where a funeral service will follow at noon. Jessica will be privately laid to rest on Monday next to her grandparents, Joe and Millie Bova, at Champion Township Cemetery.

Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions to Jessica’s family to help in caring for her sons. Arrangements are being handled by Beacon Funeral and Cremation Services in Warren, 330-598-0217.

Please visit www.beaconfuneral.com to send condolences to the family.

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