Wilma L. Owens

before Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic. She passed away Sunday night, June 21, 2020

at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Allen E. (Ed) Owens, as well as

her parents, Harvell B Lawson, Ada Tice Lawson, and three brothers Harry, Harvell, and Carl Lawson.

Her son Phillip (Leigh) and grandson Wesley Owens survive her.

Wilma graduated from Ensley High School in January 1945. She attended David Lipscomb

College for a couple of years before returning to Birmingham to work as a secretary at US Steel. She

married Ed Owens in 1949, and continued her work until 1960 when their son, Phillip was born. Wilma

sacrificially gave herself to rearing her son, supporting and helping him in school, athletics, music, and

most importantly, spiritual activities. She continued her love and support of him until her passing.

She was at home for several years after Phillip was born, then returned to work in a number of

positions including secretary for the Highway Department, a stock brokerage company (Andreesen), an

ENT doctor in Birmingham, Julian Hicks, another man in finances ,Frank Thomas, Jr., at UPS for a short

time, then for Lloyd Wilson with New York Life. She retired from Mr. Wilson’s office as a secretary

around 1992, but after a few months, returned for another stint until she turned 70 years old, retiring

for good.

Always having a strong love for family, Wilma loved Phillip’s wife, Leigh, helped in every way she

could, and was thrilled in 1989 to welcome her grandson, Wesley, into the world. From that moment

on, much of what she did for the next few years was dedicated to creating fun and special times for him

when he visited. She was also known for her generosity, helping her family and others in financial ways

as the need arose.

Following the death of her beloved Ed in 2002, another chapter in life began. Wilma was

encouraged to become a Pink Lady volunteer at Shelby Medical Center, and did so for 15-16 years, close

to 90 years of age. She volunteered thousands of hours to the hospital, and enjoyed the interaction

with patients, administration, and getting out of the house. It was good for her, and provided a needful

service for many others.

Wilma was guided by her strong sense of faith in God and His word. She attended primarily

three churches in her life: Ensley, Midfield, and Oak Mountain churches of Christ. She tried to live by

principles of right and godliness and did not shrink to point out to those close to her where corrections

needed to be made. Growing up, travel was often by streetcar or on foot. Wilma’s parents thought

nothing of walking a mile to and from church services during her teen years to support a congregation

(Fairview) begun by John T. Lewis in the Fair Park area. This is where and when she obeyed the gospel of Christ. Toward the end of her life, she contributed time and money to the efforts made by her son and

others in building up the congregation in Shannon. Wilma continued to attend at Shannon until she was

no longer able to drive the distance from her home.

Around the age of 90, due to diabetes and other issues, her health began to deteriorate, but she

continued to drive, live at home, and for the most part take care of herself. Close to her 91 st birthday,

she broke her hip and developed a severe intestinal problem, which required major surgery and round

the clock professional help in a health care facility until her death Sunday night. We owe an unpayable

debt of gratitude to all the workers at Brookdale who were part of her care. Even though she didn’t

understand why she could not go back home, she loved them as family and recognized their efforts.

Wilma’s Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, June 25, 2020. Visitation will be from 12 noon

until 2 p.m. with the funeral beginning at 2 at Elmwood Chapel. Burial in Elmwood Cemetery follows.

Gene Waldon, Neil Gilbert and Bob Hutto will preside. There will be congregational singing. It would

please Wilma very much for anyone who desires to make a contribution in her memory, to do so to the

Pleasant Grove church of Christ, where her son, Phillip, now preaches.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Owens family. Services will be livestreamed on Facebook at the link below. Please like the page to be notified.

https://www.facebook.com/RidoutsElmwood/