James Lowell Owen

James “Lowell” Owen , 91, of Appomattox, VA passed away peacefully on March 18, 2017. He was born on March 28, 1925 in Halifax County, VA to the late George Edward Owen and Virginia Irby Owen. He is finally reunited with his late loving wife of 62 years, Ariana Ferguson Owen, and his precious grandson, Cameron Owen Mays. In addition, he was preceded in death by four sisters (Evelyn West, Marion Ford Harwood, Elizabeth Brooks McMaster and Louise Owen) and two brothers (Leroy and Herman Owen).

In his early adult life Lowell worked for Trailways in Lynchburg as a ticket agent and also as a tour guide on trips to New York City and Washington, DC. Later he owned and operated the Airport Esso service station for 10 years. In 1961 he began his career as a Nationwide Insurance agent in Lynchburg and later became an agent in Brookneal where he retired in 1987.

Lowell was a charter member of Hyland Heights Baptist Church where he faithfully served for many years as a deacon, choir member, Sunday School teacher and in many other capacities. In his later years he moved his membership to Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox. He was a Gideon for 43 years (beginning in June 1973) and served at the local and state levels in leadership positions. He never missed an opportunity to share the gospel with everyone he met – and he never met a stranger! He will also be remembered for his love of singing and his kind and loving spirit.

Lowell is survived by his four loving children, Sandra Moore (Tom) of Fincastle, VA, Brenda Lee of Williamsburg, VA, Denise Mays of Appomattox, VA and Jim Owen of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by six precious grandchildren, Ashley Moore Schoombee (Mark), Sara Moore Jackson (Scott), Justin Lee (Sloan), Erin Lee McFarland (Mark), Dustin Mays, and Joshua Owen; and seven great-grandchildren, Emma and Matthew Schoombee, Ryan and Tyler Jackson, and Barrett, Augusta and Maggie Lee. He is also survived by his sister, Rebecca Edwards of Charlotte Hall, MD and many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The family wishes to thank his caregivers at The Summit Health and Rehab Center (James River Unit) and the staff of Centra Hospice for their excellent care and compassion for Lowell and the love they extended to him and the family.

A Celebration of Lowell’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Liberty Baptist Church, 1709 Church Street, Appomattox, VA with Dr. Rusty Small officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Hill Memorial Park in Lynchburg.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 pm on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Whitten Funeral Home - Timberlake Chapel, 7404 Timberlake Rd., Lynchburg, VA and also at the church prior to the service from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions in Lowell’s memory, please consider donating to the Gideon’s International c/o Appomattox Gideon’s, PO Box 486, Appomattox, VA 24522 and the “Building Fund” c/o Liberty Baptist Church, PO Box 485, Appomattox, VA 24522.