His Story
LANE AUGUSTUS OWENS was born on October 30, 1926, in Rutherford County, North Carolina. He found eternal peace on October 28, 2015, at the Hospice House in Rutherford County.
Lane was the second oldest of five children born to the late Augustus R. and Jeanette Spikes Owens. He and older sister Clara Owens Revels moved with their parents at an early age to McDowell County, West Virginia. Lane confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age, joining Little Zion Baptist Church, Bishop West Virginia. He graduated at age sixteen from Excelsior High School in War, West Virginia. Lane next graduated from West Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He became a member of the Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, along with the late Rev. Leon Sullivan. He enlisted in the United States Army for two years and served overseas during World War II. After the War, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology from New York University in 1949.
Lane was multi-talented and throughout his life worked several interesting occupations. He briefly worked as a Coal Miner in Caretta, West Virginia, a Clinical Psychologist at Lakin State Hospital in West Virginia, and a Parole Officer in Welch, West Virginia. Lane later moved to Brooklyn, New York where he was employed by the City of New York as a Social Psychologist. He later relocated back to his home town of Ellenboro, North Carolina where he worked as a Social Worker for the Department of Social Services in Spindale until his retirement.
Lane was also a gifted baseball player. He played short stop for the Bishop State Liners, a professional feeder team for the Negro League. In 1949, he was recruited to play for the Indianapolis Clowns, a team that eventually won four American Negro League Championships. Hank Aaron later played for this team. After the birth of his first child, Lynn, his wife Mildred convinced Lane to stay closer to home.
Lane was a true family man who loved all people. He was called dad, deddy, Grand dad, pop, poppa, brother, and Uncle Bubby, a name affectionately given to him by his niece Denise Revels Robinson.
Lane was preceded in death by his wife Mildred Flipping Owens Lindsay, daughter Alease Owens Wilson, brothers Sherrill Owens and Warren Ray Owens (Gloria); sisters Clara Owens Revels (Joseph) and Gervaise Owens Carpenter (Lester).
Lane is survived by sons Lynn G. Owens (Toni) and Ray B. Owens. Daughters Donna Owens Reyes (Paul), Rolanda Owens Poles (Craig), Kimberlee Clark, Kimberly Owens Washington (Cliss), and former wife Doris Hairston Owens. Grandchildren Sean Lynch (Rachel), Kendra Owens Johnson (Robert), Ashley Owens Davis (Vernon), Kia Hayes Owens (Jamie), Marshall Roberts (Alicia), Michael Roberts and Asha Poles. Great grandchildren Clinton Tran, Aniya, Aiyana and Robert Johnson Jr., Ryan and Cortney Emfinger, Marshall III, McKenzie and Micah Roberts, and Ayaan Woodson. Sister-in-law, Alma Owens (Sherrill).
The Family of the late Lane Augustus Owens would like to thank everyone who has supported us in our time of sorrow. We would like to especially thank Derek Smith our cousin and Funeral Director for his advice, counsel and prayers.
Services will be held 1:00PM Saturday November the 7th 2015 at Union Hill AME Zion, with the Rev. Leroy Staley officiating. Online condolences maybe made at www.crowemortuary.com.