Raymond L. Owens

Obituary: Raymond Leo Owens, Sr., age 89, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Hospice House, Monroe, NC after a lengthy illness followed by a serious condition of two weeks. He was born December 30, 1924 in Rowan County, NC, the son of the late Ellie Owens. Raymond was a 1942 graduate of the former J.W. Cannon High School. He entered the U.S. Army in 1942 serving in the 35th Army Infantry Division for three years. After service , he further served in the N.C. Air National Guard for three years. Raymond was employed with the former Cannon Mills Company, Plant One, #6 Weave Room for forty years until his retirement in 1981. For many years he was an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church, Kannapolis, NC where he had served as head usher, the United Methodist Men, church Man of the Year in 1993, had volunteered in the office helping with the church newsletter and printing, and for one year served as a Sunday school teacher. His family fondly remembers him as a very laid-back man who was fun-loving who loved a good joke or two. He also loved listening to Lawrence Welk music, playing gin rummy card games, and was especially known as "PawPaw" to many kids in the neighborhood. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife, Iva Dell Lowder Owens; and a sister, Ailene Epps. The funeral service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday, November 21, 2014 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, NC officiated by Rev. Jim Brookshire. Entombment will follow with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard at Carolina Memorial Park Plaza Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:30 P.M. Friday at the funeral home prior to the service. Survivors include two sons, Raymond Leo Owens, II & wife, Linda of Danville, VA; Paul Thomas Owens & wife, Jill of Rockwell, NC; one daughter, Elizabeth Owens Lisenby & husband, Tommy of Stanfield, NC; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. Memorials may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church, 110 West C Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 1:00-2:30 PM, Friday November 21, 2014 Whitley's Funeral Home.

Service: 2:30 PM, Friday November 21, 2014 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park.