Lawrence Sanders Owens

Lawrence Sanders Owens, 90, of Johnson City, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2015 in the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. Lawrence was a Washington County native. He was a son of the late James and Mattie Lowe Owens. Lawrence joined the US Navy at the age of 17 and was a veteran of WWII. He worked as an accountant, and was secretary and treasurer of Giant Wholesale Grocery Company, as well as vice president of Summit Distributing. He was a member of North Johnson City Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School. Lawrence was also a member of the Optimist Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: brother, James Owens; sisters, Margaret Owens Boss and Josephine Shipley Salts; and grandson, Patrick Owens. He is survived by: his wife of 67 years, Nellie Ruth Hale Owens; five sons, Michael Owens and his wife Saundra, of Johnson City, Gary Owens and his wife Maria, of Newport News, VA, Brian Owens and his wife Jan, of Johnson City, Craig Owens and his wife Rachael, of Johnson City, and Mark Owens, of Johnson City; two brothers, Robert 'Bob'? Owens, of Cleveland, OH and John 'Bud'? Owens, of Dallas, TX; two sisters, Louise Marsh and Irene Owens, both of Cleveland, OH; beloved grandchildren, Todd, William, Jeremy, Phillip, Brian Keith, Sanders, Isaiah, Allison, Ansley, Morgan, Leah, Spencer, Summer, and Sierra; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The family of Lawrence Sanders Owens will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2015 in the Morris-Baker Dogwood Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm Monday in the chapel. Rev. Rick Powell and Rev. Ed Scarbrough will officiate. Pallbearers will be: Todd Owens, Jeremy Owens, Brian Keith Owens, Sanders Owens, Phillip Owens, Spencer Galloway, and Jordan Owens. The committal service is scheduled for 11:00 am Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in Monte Vista Memorial Park. The Boone Dam VFW Post 4933 will accord military honors. Ministers, family, and friends are requested to meet at Morris-Baker by 10:30 am Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery for those services.

Lawrence Sanders Owens, 90, of Johnson City, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2015 in the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. Lawrence was a Washington County native. He was a son of the late James and Mattie Lowe Owens. Lawrence joined the US Navy at the age of 17 and was a veteran of WWII. He worked as an accountant, and was secretary and treasurer of Giant Wholesale Grocery Company, as well as vice president of Summit Distributing. He was a member of North Johnson City Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School. Lawrence was also a member of the Optimist Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: brother, James Owens; sisters, Margaret Owens Boss and Josephine Shipley Salts; and grandson, Patrick Owens. He is survived by: his wife of 67 years, Nellie Ruth Hale Owens; five sons, Michael Owens and his wife Saundra, of Johnson City, Gary Owens and his wife Maria, of Newport News, VA, Brian Owens and his wife Jan, of Johnson City, Craig Owens and his wife Rachael, of Johnson City, and Mark Owens, of Johnson City; two brothers, Robert ?Bob' Owens, of Cleveland, OH and John ?Bud' Owens, of Dallas, TX; two sisters, Louise Marsh and Irene Owens, both of Cleveland, OH; beloved grandchildren, Todd, William, Jeremy, Phillip, Brian Keith, Sanders, Isaiah, Allison, Ansley, Morgan, Leah, Spencer, Summer, and Sierra; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The family of Lawrence Sanders Owens will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2015 in the Morris-Baker Dogwood Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm Monday in the chapel. Rev. Rick Powell and Rev. Ed Scarbrough will officiate. Pallbearers will be: Todd Owens, Jeremy Owens, Brian Keith Owens, Sanders Owens, Phillip Owens, Spencer Galloway, and Jordan Owens. The committal service is scheduled for 11:00 am Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in Monte Vista Memorial Park. The Boone Dam VFW Post 4933 will accord military honors. Ministers, family, and friends are requested to meet at Morris-Baker by 10:30 am Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery for those services.