Sherman L. Owens

Ret. Col. Sherman L. Owens of Mount Vernon, Arkansas received his heavenly reward on Friday, May 19, 2017. He was born August 7, 1951 to Cleatus and Lorene Owens in Conway, Arkansas. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Floyd where he faithfully served the Lord with all his heart. He loved his church family where he enjoyed worshiping and serving in a church family that nurtured his journey of faith and provided a variety of ways for him to live out his call to discipleship. Sherman was an active member of Nailbenders for Jesus Construction Ministry. He was an avid golfer, loved spending time with his most cherished friends hunting, fishing, and sitting around a camp fire telling stories. He was a loving and devoted husband who loved his wife Juanita with all of his heart. He loved his children, grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He began his career in the Arkansas Air National Guard in 1969 as a Precision Photo System Repairman. He separated after completing his initial six year enlistment, but re-enlisted in 1978 and cross-trained into the financial community as a General Accounting Specialist. He earned distinguished graduate honors from the Academy of Military Science, Professional Education Center, Knoxville, Tennessee in 1983 and commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He served as a Budget Officer, Cost Analysis Officer and was selected as the Comptroller of the 189th Airlift Wing, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas in September 1991. In 2004 Colonel Owens was selected the Total Force Advisor to SAF/FMB. Before being selected for the position as Deputy Director, Colonel Owens served six months as the Chief, Financial Analysis Division. In his position prior to retiring he assisted the Director for planning and directing execution of the Air National Guard's operation and maintenance as well as military personnel budgets. He also assisted the Director in leading a staff of 65 military and civilian financial management personnel who develop, integrate and justify readiness and personnel budgets for the ANG and defend requirements as they are addressed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Juanita Owens; loving children, a daughter, Sonja Nelson (Bob) of Sherwood; a son, Brad Owens of Chicago, Illinois; and a brother, Ronald Owens, of Cabot; a sister, Kathy Owens of Maumelle; three grandsons, Albert Rob Nelson, Chance Owens Nelson and Nash Alan Nelson; and a host of extended family and friends. The family will receive friends and loved ones at the Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, 2017. A celebration of Sherman's life will be immediately following at 10 a.m. and graveside services will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Cabot, Arkansas with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Floyd in Romance, Arkansas. Visit online guest registry at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.