Janie "Polly" Wade Owen
Janie W. Owen “Polly”, 94 of Salem, passed away at home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 9, 1931; daughter of the late Sidney Wade and Minnie Seamster Wade.
In addition to her parents, Polly was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, James N. Owen; brothers, Sidney Wade and Tommie Wade; and a half-brother, William Wade. She was born and grew up in Halifax County, Va. on a tobacco farm. She graduated from Volens High School and attended Business College in Wilmington, N.C. She worked many jobs and enjoyed being a mother to her children and a grandmother and great-grandmother.
Polly was a member of CommUNITY Church in Salem, Va. She taught Sunday school and V.B.S. in various churches. She served on the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association Mission Board and volunteered at the Friendship Mission Center in Roanoke. She was a member and co-founder of the “Girls of Grace” Sunday school class and continued to have bible study and prayers in her home with class members, which she treasured throughout the years. She was a prayer warrior and a mentor, and she loved her Lord. She was also very fond of her cats, Prince Andrew and Duchess.
Polly enjoyed many hobbies, including playing bridge, crafts, ballroom and square dancing. She and James enjoyed traveling, visiting many European countries on their travels, as well as the Holy Land.
Polly is survived by her daughter, Terri Owen Deitz (Dutch), of Roanoke; a son, Larry Wayne Owen (Cathy), of Roanoke County; her beloved granddaughters, Ashley Owen Frazier (John Robert), of Wake Forest, N.C., and Jessica Paige Owen, of Nashville, Tenn.; and a great-grandson, Grayson James Frazier.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at CommUNITY Church, 1923 E. Main St., Salem, VA 24153, with Pastor Tom McCracken officiating.
Friends may visit with the family from noon until the hour of the service at the church.
Per her wishes, Polly will be privately entombed in the mausoleum at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave. SW, Roanoke, Va.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Polly’s memory to Community Church, 1923 East Main St., Salem, Va 24153.
Online condolences may be expressed to the Owen family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
