Bessie S Owens

Bessie Rene Sims Owens, 96, long time resident of Gardendale, Alabama passed away peacefully, August 29, 2024. Bessie was born on May 14,1928, in Birmingham, Alabama to James T. Sims and Zora Effie Simpkins. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gardendale for over 20 years and previously to Smoke Rise Baptist Church, First Baptist of Center Point and many more in her young adult live.

Bessie graduated from Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama in 1946. After graduation, Bessie worked for Yielding’s before marrying Abe Meeks Owens on June 5, 1949. She raised three children, Susan, Rodney and Linda. She returned to work as a Payroll clerk at Passavant Corporation in Pinson for several years before moving to Tricon Metals in Irondale where she retired. She enjoyed seven grandchildren during her retirement in between traveling with her friends and her church group. She kept a memorable list of her travels to: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Israel, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Europe, Mid-West and many other states including Alaska and Hawaii.

Bessie was a hard-working woman and always left an imprint on her family and everyone she met. She instilled strong family values in her children that they could carry on in their own families. She enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which always brought a smile to her face. She loved to sew and cook. She even had some favorite dishes that her and her mother shared when they cooked dinners at First Baptist Church of Center Point for many years before the Wednesday night services. In her later years she loved playing UNO with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and caregivers.

Survivors include her 3 children, Susan Johnsey (Doyle-deceased) of Hoover, Alabama, Rodney Owens of Carriere, Mississippi, Linda Ponder (Tony) of Hoover, Alabama; 7 grandchildren, Joshua Johnsey (Lauren) of Hoover, Alabama, Joy Wint (Billy) of Birmingham, Alabama, Jessica Hinshaw (Robert III) of Birmingham, Alabama, Jacob Johnsey (Lara) of Vestavia, Alabama, Sheena Wilson of Pell City, Alabama, Blake Wilson (Madison) of Gardendale, Alabama; 6 great-grandchildren, Cooper Johnsey, Sawyer Johnsey, Ellis Johnsey, Gwyneth Hinshaw, Georgia Hinshaw, Robert Hinshaw IV and number 7 in a few weeks, Baby Wilson.

Bessie is preceded in death by her mother and father, husband, grandson, Kevin Wilson, her brother Merlin Sims, and sister, Nova Sims.

Bessie Owens will be greatly missed by her family and friends. But we know she is joyful to be surrounded by heavenly music and arms of love.