Geneva Mae Owens

COLUMBUS, MISS. – Geneva Mae Graves Owens, age 88, of Columbus, Miss., died January 27, 2016, at Aurora Health and Rehabilitation. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 30, 2016, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth Andrews, Rev. James Gardner and Rev. Kenny Gardner officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be Friday, January 29, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Owens; parents, John Harvey Graves and Ollie Mae Graves Kyzer; brothers and sister, Orville Graves, Linford Graves, Wiliford "Tuck" Graves and Deeny Graves Coleman; grandchild, Bethany Owens; and two great-grandchildren.Survivors include her daughter, Sandra L. Owens Gardner of Columbus, Miss.; son, Larry A. Owens of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; brother, Oran Graves; grandchildren, Kenneth Owens, Kevin Owens, Kenny Gardner and Merita Miller; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.Mrs. Owens was a wonderful Christian woman. She gave her life to her church, family and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved to cook, sew and help people in need. She looked after her blind brother for over 30 years. Geneva met her husband, Arnold, in Perry County, Alabama, where they married on October 16, 1943. They were married 50 years. Arnold died on the morning of their anniversary.Mrs. Owens and her husband raised a granddaughter, Bethany, who died at the age of 23. She kept children in her home for many years teaching them about God, playing the organ and singing with them. They all called her "Maw Maw."She leaves a legacy behind for her own children raising them in church and teaching Godly principles and how to love family and others.