Deacon Earl Owens
1927 ~ 2020
Date of Death: September 23,2020
In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Owens family. Earl’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Deacon Earl Owens.
Sincerely,
Derrick Veasley ~ Director
Henry Veasley ~ Director
Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain
Earl Owens was born on Wednesday, August 17, 1927 to the Elmer Lewis and Erie Owens in Alma, Arkansas. On Wednesday, September 23, 2020 Earl was called by God to take his eternal rest in the heavenly realm. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Ruthleen Owens.
Earl accepted Christ as his personal Savior at a very early age at Zion Missionary Baptist Church and never walked away from this relationship. He walked as a true Christian in the Community of Alma and surrounding areas. He was the oldest Deacon and the second oldest member at Zion. While worshiping many years at Zion, he served as a deacon, a choir president, and the Sunday School Superintendent. He was God-fearing man who loved Zion and they loved him dearly. He was educated in the Alma and Van Buren Public Schools, and he attended Douglas High School. He was the first black to work at the Community Center. He also has a street named after him; Spring Street is also known as “Earl Owens Street”. He was given a Key to the City of Alma from Mayor Keith Green.
Earl’s love was farming. He was truly believed and loved working, because he would work two jobs (a bank and a doctor’s office) before he went to his main job for many years. He was retired at Trane, Inc. after many years of service. He was an upright Christian man who became a Community Leader in the Alma area because of his lifestyle. For there has been so many people of all ages of him leading them in the right directions in their lives simply by using his words of wisdom. He worked on committees for the Alma Schools; they would want his help. His motto was “Always treat people the way you wanted to be treated”.
Earl was married to the love of his life, Ruthleen Perry, on Wednesday, November 6, 1946. They happily enjoyed 55 years of marriage before God called her to take her eternal rest in 2001. They were blessed to have 4 children together and to leave generations of love. His children saw him as an honest, upright, gentle, and loving father and man who was liked and loved by everyone. They spoke of his parenting skills and how the only way he taught them was through conversations, whether good or bad. He was truly a teacher in his house and community. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him so dearly.
Earl will always be cherished by his children, Ballie McCoy of Alma, Arkansas, Sonja Hogue of Jefferson, Georgia, Brenda (James) Cole and Robert Vinson Owens all three of Alma, Arkansas; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 18 great-great grandchildren, and a host of many other relatives and friends.
