Jeffrey Lowell Owen

Jeff was born in Moore County, NC on New Year’s Eve 1952 to Hubert and Bunny Owen. He was the fourth of seven children. He spent his early childhood years living in Aberdeen, Elizabethtown and Grifton, NC and Moultrie, GA before moving to Raleigh with his family in 1961.

In Raleigh, Jeff attended Raleigh Public Schools and then worked at the Wake County Sheltered Workshop for many years. In 1987, after the death of his mother Bunny, Hubert and Jeff moved to Topsail Island, NC where they enjoyed 19 years of being beach buddies together. Jeff and Hubert returned to Raleigh in 2004 to live with Jeff’s sister and caregiver, Harriette Owen Griffin. He remained with her in their childhood home after Hubert’s death in 2006, and died peacefully there on May 18, 2019 while listening to his favorite music.

Jeff was pre-deceased by both parents and his sister Ann Ree Sumner Mitchell.

He is survived by his sister and caregiver, Harriette Griffin and her family, husband Phil Griffin, daughter Alice Griffin, son David Griffin and granddaughter Emma Hallam. He is also survived by brothers Thomas Owen of Orem, Utah, Alan Owen of Raleigh, NC, sisters Virginia Owen of Knightdale, NC and Mary Beth Owen of Raleigh, NC. Jeff leaves behind several in-laws who should be noted including Robin Owen of Cary, NC and Bob and Bonnie Denkins of Garner, NC. Jeff also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great-nephews, many cousins and his aunt, Sara Owen Hester of Tampa, FL and uncle, Austin Owen of Washington, DC.

Jeff was special in many ways that cannot be fully expressed. He loved to eat, listen to music, ride in the car, go to the beach, watch cars and sit and swing on the front porch. He loved going to the Owen Family Reunion at White Lake every labor-day and floating in the lake and eating all the wonderful food. He was a gentle person who gave his family much love and he is greatly missed. Jeff helped us all become better people. As a result of knowing and loving Jeff, we are blessed to be more understanding, empathic and caring of others.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.