Jean Winburne Owens

Jean Winburne Owens, 95 years old, passed from death into life on Monday, August 31, 2015 in Morrilton, Arkansas, at her home. John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My Word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life." She was born in Morrilton on December 12, 1919 to Dica Elisabeth and John Newton Winburne. A precocious learner, she graduated from Morrilton High School in 1936 and the University of Arkansas in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and was a lifelong Razorback fan and supporter. After graduation, she worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Little Rock, and was transferred to the Department of Labor office in Washington D.C. She returned to Morrilton, marrying her husband, Charles Belt Owens, October 26, 1942. He was a pilot with the U.S. Navy, and they were stationed in Floyd Bennett, New York. After the war, they returned to Morrilton. She taught Civics, English, French and America History at Morrilton High School, and she and her husband owned Central Insurance Agency, where she served as accountant. She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Morrilton, and read the Bible daily, and attended Bible Study Fellowship. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, and was a competitive player of all games, especially bridge. She was an accomplished seamstress and folk art painter. She volunteered at the Care Center delivering meals. She belonged to the Adelaid Club and the Redbud Garden Club. She served on the FEMA board of the River Valley Authority. She was a long time member of the Conway County Pathfinders. They started the Carnegie Endowment Fund which helped secure the funding and helped construct the new library in 1960. She and Charlie enjoyed traveling, having visited locations across North, Central and South America and Europe. She greatly loved and wanted the best for her husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends, and was greatly loved by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Bettie Lee Sewell, and brother, John Newton Winburne. Survivors include her devoted husband of 72 years and Charlie Owens of Morrilton, and her two children, Charles "Toppy" Owens of Mountain View and Melinda Carnahan and husband Gary of Hot Springs; nine grandchildren, David Owens, Josh (June) Owens, Holly (Sam) Sellers, Judy (Michael) Altman, Elisabeth (Rick) Proenza, Daniel (Dallas) Carnahan, Jordan (Murry) Owens, Natalie (Evans) Baggs, and Abby (David) Lacy, fifteen great-grandchildren, and nieces Bettie Ann Harwood, Norna Verplank, Mary Lou Tindall, Susanne Crain, Ginger Robbins, Debbie McLeroy, and Margaret Sladek, and nephews, John Winburne and Pete Butler. The funeral arrangements are being provided by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The pallbearers are her grandsons: David Owens, Josh Owens, Daniel Carnahan and Jordon Owens, and great-grandsons Samuel Sellers and Scott Lowe. Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 3 at the Elmwood Cemetery with a memorial service following at 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Todd-Paul Taulbee officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Methodist Church of Morrilton. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.