Ruth Owens

Ruth Owens, daughter of the late Lloyd Coy and Pearl (Walker) Smith, was born on December 13, 1918 in Hartville, Missouri, and departed this life on Monday, August 25, 2008 in the Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mtn. Grove, Missouri. She was 89 years, 8 months, and 12 days of age.
Ruth grew up and attended school in Wright County. She was united in marriage to Floyd “Pod” Owens on December 25, 1940 in Mtn. Grove. They lived most all their lives on a farm near Norwood, Missouri. They were migrant workers in California for a short time.
Ruth was a charter member of the Rock Chapel Freewill Baptist Church north of Norwood. She enjoyed attending services as long as her health permitted and for many years she served as the church pianist and she and Pod were church janitors for twenty years. She also made fresh floral arrangements for the church for several years and was a member of the church auxiliary and was the Rock Chapel Woman of the year in 1986.
Ruth was a true homemaker, taking care of her husband and tending to everyday household duties. She was an accomplished seamstress and she also enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, gardening, tending to her flowers and doing craft projects. She was a loving wife, aunt, friend and neighbor. She will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her three brothers: Lloyd B. Smith, Eual Smith and his wife, Freda, and Bill Smith.
She is survived by her husband: Floyd “Pod” Owens of their home; two nieces: Kaye Garrison and her husband, Gary, of Springfield, Missouri and Cindy Kern of the State of Nevada; two nephews: Bradley Carl Smith and his wife, Lisa, and their children: Bryce and Rachel, all of Aurora, Missouri, and Larry Gregory and his wife, Lois, of Springfield, Missouri; two sisters-in-law: Geraldine B. Smith of Springfield, Missouri and Fern Smith Moore and her husband, Shirley, of Norwood, Missouri; her “adopted children,” Charles and Evelyn Maines of Norwood, Missouri; other great-nieces and nephews; her church family and many friends who will sadly miss her.
Funeral services for Ruth Owens will be held Wednesday, August 27, 1:00 PM in the Rock Chapel Freewill Baptist Church north of Norwood with Rev. Stanley Jones officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to service time in the church. Kay Garrison, Rock Chapel Church Choir and the congregation will serve as singers. Song selections will be “The Last Mile Of The Way,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Amazing Grace.” Pallbearers will be David Housley, Mike Housley, Shirley Moore, Shelby Moore, Tony Serghides, and Monte Housley. Honorary pallbearers were Roy Dennis, Shelby Housley and Charles Maines. Burial will be in the Rock Chapel Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, Missouri.


Funeral Service:
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 1:00 PM in the Rock Chapel Church north of Norwood, Missouri.
Visitation:
Wednesday from 12:00 PM to service time in the church.
Burial:
Rock Chapel Cemetery