Deborah Owens Gilley

Deborah Owens Gilley, 64, of rural Lake City, died Saturday afternoon in a home accident.

Born in Jonesboro, Deborah lived all of her life in the Lake City area and was a member of the Lake City High School Class of 1968. She was a homemaker and a member of the Bethabara Baptist Church where she served as church clerk, Sunday school teacher, choir member and Womens Missionary Union treasurer.

Deborah was very close to her family and often filled the role of second mother to many of her nephews and nieces through the years. Her home was always open to and bustling with family and friends.

In addition to her son Slade Gilley who died simultaneously with her in the same accident, Deborah was preceded in death by her parents: H.R. "Rusty" and Hazel Mae Nothern Owens, sister Winnie Spikes and brothers Bobby Owens and Ronald Owens.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Gilley of the home;

2 daughters: Shelby Marie Gilley of the home and April Rodriquez of North Carolina;

5 brothers: Her twin Donnie Owens and Garry Owens of Lake City, Hershel Owens of West Memphis, Larry Owens of Jonesboro and Mike Owens of Conway; and

3 sisters: Peggy Diane Wright, Beverly Lomax and Janet Brewer, all of Jonesboro.

Joint funeral services with her son Slade will be held Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bro. Jarrid McGrew and Bro. Darin Owens officiating. Burial will follow in Lower Cane Island Cemetery near Lake City. Nephews will serve as active pallbearers.

Visitation will be held Tuesday 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel in Jonesboro.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Bethabara Baptist Church, c/o Betty Curtis, 2503 CR 505, Lake City, AR 72437.