Mary Gibbs Owens, 79, of Rome, formerly of Tifton, died Sunday, June 27, 2010, at Winthrop Manor Nursing Center in Rome. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Elder Craig Deloach will officiate with burial to follow in Hickory Springs Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Grandsons and cousins will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. The family will be at 2020 Hall Avenue in Tifton.
Mrs. Owens was born on June 29, 1930 in Tift County and was the daughter of Nas Gibbs and Ina Lois Lyon Gibbs, both deceased. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Seymour Owens; and one sister, Mrs. Martin E. Tally. She was retired as owner and operator of Mary Owens School of Charm and Fashion and a member of Tifton Primitive Baptist Church.
Mrs. Owens was a graduate of Georgia College in Milledgeville and received training at La Sorbonne in Paris, France. She was an avid traveler and had interests in fashion, gardening and community service. She was a long-time member of the Camellia Garden Club and President of the Tifton Woman’s Club. In her later years, she enjoyed her grandchildren and visiting her children worldwide.
Mrs. Owens is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Sanford N. and Kellan Owens of London, England and Rodney S. and Karen Owens of Orlando, Florida; one daughter and son-in-law, Donna Owens Daugherty and her husband, Howard, of Rome; two brothers, Dr. James Allen Gibbs of Marianna, Florida and Dr. Marcus Cleon Gibbs of Arlington; and six grandchildren, Lindsey Marie Daugherty, Howard F. “Ward” Daugherty Jr., Campbell Kenefic Owens, S. Sawyer Owens, John Vandiver Owens and William Seymour Owens.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to Heyman HospiceCare at Floyd, P. O. Box 163, Rome, GA 31062.