her family into the presence of our Lord and Savior. She was a loving, caring, generous, and
forgiving soul with deep faith and a member of Community Baptist Church in Hixson.
A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Nancy graduated from Kirkman Technical High School in
1965 and began her professional career at Kayo Oil Company and later at Hamilton Memorial
Gardens where she dedicated many years of service helping grieving families with her
compassion and warmth. She also sold Medicare Advantage plans as a licensed broker for
several years.
Known affectionately as “Nanny,” Nancy loved to cook and was an avid collector of recipes
which she passed on to her family, including her delicious sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, and
pecan pie recipes among other delights. During the summer, it was a treat for Nancy to gather
fresh fruits for canning with her family, including strawberries, peaches, and figs. It was a joy to
share a meal with her (and her pets) and cheer on the Atlanta Braves – she would never miss a
game.
She loved flowers and gardening, and her yard was filled to the brim with her favorites –
snowball bushes, roses, zinnias, petunias, four o’clocks, moonflowers, and many others. From
the front porch, Nancy passed the time with her family watching the flowers and grandchildren
grow and sharing stories. If you ever needed to talk, Nancy would lend an ear, her heart, and
advice to help you through your troubles.
Another of Nancy’s passions was arts and crafts, especially painting with oils and watercolors
having attended classes given by Mary B. Lynch at the Hunter Museum of American Art. She
also had a real talent for drawing and enjoyed writing and creating her own cards to celebrate
her loved ones’ birthdays.
Nancy was preceded in death by the love of her life, C. Wayne Owens, as well as her mother.
Betty J. Sewell and maternal grandparents, Frank and Johnnie Anderson.
She is survived by her daughter, Tonia (Ric) Castaneda; granddaughter, Courtney (Jerome) Rebel; grandson, Wesley Holloway; great-grandchildren, Caiden, Hunter, and Journey Rebel; sister, Freida (Jimmy) Conner; brother, Ricky (Kim) Sewell; several nieces and nephews; and her closest and dearest lifelong friend, Kay Chloe Monk.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET, at Chattanooga
Funeral Home – North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
Funeral services for Nancy will follow at 12 p.m. ET, at the North Chapel. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or www.stjude.org
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
