Mrs. Victoria Owens

Our beautiful mother was born November 22, 1932 in Brownsville, Tennessee to the late James Douglas and Bettie Taylor. She became a remarkable woman. At 13 years old in September of 1946, she met Willie James Owens, Sr. and started an improbable courtship. On October 12, 1946 (yes, just one month later), they skipped across the state line to Mississippi and were married. That romance lasted 57 years until his death in 2002. Victoria said she was determined to be a good mother. She exceeded her expectations. Victoria regretted not being able to finish her formal education but she didn’t need to apologize. Her works speak for her. She was a devoted wife who stayed with her husband through sickness and health and a role model mother. Victoria loved attending church, going to bingo, cooking for her family, shopping and traveling. She would be quick to remind everyone that she was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church back when Rev. Bradley was the pastor. Our mothers’ biggest source of pride was being a mother. She took her job seriously from the tough love she personally administered in our childhoods to the friendly counseling we received as we became adults. She loved talking to strangers about her six sons. She was feisty, intelligent and selfless. Her final words were, “I love you.” She leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, Willie James, Jr. (Berta Jimenez) of Saginaw, MI, Eric Frank (Peggy) of Atlanta, GA, Earnest Arthur (Juanita Rush) of Indianapolis, IN, Larry Glenn of Saginaw, MI, Steve (Della) of Waco, TX and Joseph Lee (Sheila) of Dallas, TX, they were her world. Victoria also leaves, 16 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren; her sister, Cardelia King of Saginaw, MI; brothers, General of Detroit, MI and Steve of Tennessee. She had a special bond with nieces Betty Pruitt of Jackson, TN, Elizabeth Owen and Barbara Ann Ezell both of Saginaw, MI. Mrs. Owens was preceded in death by her brothers, James, Earnest and Sonny and her sister, Cora Lee Jones The family would like to express special thanks to Pamela Walker and the staff at Saginaw Geriatrics Nursing Home. Family hour will take place at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service commencing at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, 1114 N. 6th Street. Dr. Marvin T. Smith will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Sunday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family will greet friends from 4-6 p.m.

Mrs. Victoria Owens

November 22, 1932 - March 7, 2017