John Owens

Mr. John Willard Owens, age 102, of Low Moor, died Friday, October 25, 2024, at The Woodlands, Clifton Forge. He was the husband of the late Grace Berry Owens.
Mr. Owens was born March 12, 1922 in the Hematite section of Alleghany County, the son of the late James Lewis Owens and Estelle Thorpe Owens. He was a lifetime resident of this area. John served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during World War II and at the time of his death, he was the oldest member of the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars. During his working career, Mr. Owens was employed as a pipefitter by Westvaco for a number of years. John was a member of Moss Run Baptist Church where he served his church as a former deacon, Sunday school teacher and song leader.
Mr. Owens is survived by three sons, John Gray Owens and wife, Linda of Roanoke, Larry James Owens and wife, Barbara of Glasgow and Don Michael Owens and wife, Joyce of Covington; six daughters, Mary Olivia Corker of Pinetta, FL, Sandra Dale Craft and husband, Melvin of Lewisburg, WV, Anise Colleen Richmond of Covington, Rita Carol Hobbs of Lynchburg, VA, Anne Marie Owens and wife, Kaye of Baltimore, MD and Tina Louise Owens and wife, Melody of Harrisonburg, VA; a host of grandchildren; a number of great grandchildren; and numerous great-great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Owens was preceded in death by a daughter, Jo Ellen Smith; three brothers, Don Washington Owens, Roy E. Owens and William Lloyd Owens; and a sister, Violet Virginia Brubaker.
A funeral service will be conducted at 3:30 P.M. Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from the Chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Gilliland and Pastor Nathan Miller officiating. Interment will follow in Palestine Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Hematite.
The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Palestine Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, C/O JoAnna Cooke, 4511 Indian Draft Road, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. Owens's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.