Janet Rae Owens

Born August 23, 1934, in Watertown, NY, she was the daughter of Charles and Lettie DeLacey.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Mark; husband of 56 years, Ted R. Owens; brothers, John, Chuck, and Richard DeLacey; and sisters, Nan McLean, and Diane Gilbert.

A few years after graduating from Brownville High School in New York, where she was an outstanding student and cheerleader, she was set up on a blind date with a family friend who was serving in the US Air Force. Reluctant to accept the invitation, her mother encouraged her to “just go and have fun and remember you don’t have to marry him.” Within six months, she and Ted were engaged and enjoyed 56 years of marriage! After the wedding, an exciting adventure began as she moved from upstate NY to the deep south, Biloxi, Mississippi where Ted was stationed, before permanently settling in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Waynesboro, VA. She loved living in Waynesboro, and it was here that she raised a family of six children, one of which was a special needs child, took care of the home, and worked full-time outside the home. Although her work was never done, she never complained. She was amazing! Janet enjoyed a long administrative career in service to the State of Virginia at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center as part of the Spinal Cord Injury Project, retiring in 1999. She was very passionate about her work and being able to contribute to such a worthwhile endeavor. It was so fitting as well that she chose this as her work because she was such a selfless servant in all walks of life. Outside of work, she had many talents and hobbies, including quilting, calligraphy, pottery/ceramics, cooking, and baking, going to yard sales, and most especially knitting dish cloths that became a family favorite! As the wife of an accomplished musician, she thoroughly enjoyed accompanying him over the years to his performances where she not only had fun dancing and listening to the music, but she also developed lifelong friendships. She also served many years as a volunteer in service of Christian ministries at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, the Waynesboro Church of the Brethren, and Main Street United Methodist Church, working in food pantries, knitting prayer shawls, and giving of her time wherever needed. While all of this was so important to Janet, her greatest joy was taking care of her family. She never missed sending birthday, wedding, anniversary, graduation, and get well wishes to family and friends. She was known for quilting baby blankets to celebrate the birth of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family’s children. While she was a beautiful woman, what was most obvious was her inner beauty. She embodied the traits of kindness, gentleness, modesty, purity, generosity, humility, and honesty. She gracefully survived breast cancer years ago and the challenging health issues she faced the final months of her life, never complaining about what had befallen her. She had a quiet strength, taught by example, was the “glue” for her family, and was a great light for her family and this world. We know that God is pleased to have one of His kind and generous angels back in his arms.

Survivors include her children, Laura Shifflett of Waynesboro; Lisa Doughty and her husband Cliff of Waynesboro; Bonnie Smith and her husband Neil of Graham, NC; Todd Owens of Waynesboro; Jennifer Phibbs and her husband Eddie of Chaska, MN; her grandchildren Jason Wiseman, Dawn Wiseman, Kevin Tolley, Stephanie Doughty, Mark Doughty, Lacey Martinez, Kyle Smith, Zachary Phibbs, and Mario Phibbs; and great-grandchildren, Saige Solomon, Jarin Wiseman, Colby Solomon, Kadence Tolley, Jase Martinez, Kinsley Smith, and Celine Martinez. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and close friends that she loved dearly.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the Waynesboro Free Methodist Church in Waynesboro on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 2 o’clock. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Janet’s desire would be to donate to Paralyzed American Veterans at Home (pva.org) or Love In the Name of Christ at Love In the Name of Christ - Helping Churches Help People (loveinc.org).

Janet’s children wish to extend their sincere thanks to Augusta Health Hospital and Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah. Both provided exemplary and gracious care for their dearly loved mother.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com