Gene Owens

Mr. Gene “Tony” Owens, age 86, of Griffin, Georgia, formerly of Honaker, Virginia passed away Sunday (December 14, 2014) in a Griffin, Georgia hospital. Born April 30, 1928 in Russell County, Virginia, he was a son of the late T.C. and Dallas Sutherland Owens. He had lived in Russell County most of his life, prior to moving to Griffin, Georgia nineteen years ago. To know Tony was to love him. He was a man who enjoyed life, especially being outdoors. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and enjoyed assisting his neighbors with their chores. He learned to count as a child by counting nails as he helped his father build their family home. One of his first paid jobs was slopping the hogs, where he earned $1.00 each month. Those first dollars brought him great joy and counting his money soon became one of his favorite pastimes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Leon Owens and Clifford Owens and one sister, Shirley Owens Ball; nephew, Thomas Stephen Ball and one great-nephew, Thomas Chase Ball. Survivors include one brother, Gary Owens of Doran, Virginia; nieces, Stephanie Ball of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Sharlene Wysor of Honaker, Virginia, Suzanne (Wilbert) Fountain and Penny (Will) Stinson both of Griffin, Georgia, and Kelly (Chris) New of Dearing, Georgia; special great-niece, Jasmine Stinson and great-nephew, Tyler Stinson who were raised in the same house with Tony for the last nineteen years and several additional great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 AM Thursday at the Owens Cemetery, beside the old home place on New Garden Road in Honaker, Virginia with Rev. Stephen Musick officiating. Those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at the cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 PM Wednesday. Online condolences may be made at www.honakerfuneralhome.net.