Ethel Mae Owens

Ethel Mae Owens, “Aunt Mae” of Jonesboro, passed away July 9, 2010 in the Craighead County Nursing Center. She was called by her Lord and Savior to her Heavenly home. She passed away peacefully in her sleep.

She was born June 1, 1915, in Limestone County, Athens, Alabama to the late Robert O. and Ethel Harriet Holt. She moved to Waxahachie, Texas with her family in 1916.

Ethel Mae graduated from Waxahachie High School, May, 1933. November 25, 1933 she married Calvin G. Owens and in 1934 moved to Bay, Arkansas.

She was president of the Brown’s Home Demonstration Club in 1960 – 61. She was a lifelong homemaker, devoted wife, mother, and aunt. She played the piano for several local gospel groups.

“Aunt Mae’ enjoyed cooking for family and entertaining friends from church. She loved working in her flower garden, working with crafts and sewing. She was the pianist at Friendship Baptist Church in Jonesboro for over thirty years. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jonesboro. May her Christian walk be an example to the many lives she has touched.

Calvin G. Owens, husband of 66 years, preceded her in death in 2000 Her parents, step-mother, Lora Boykin Holt of 35 years; three brothers, Floyd, Wiley and Raymond Holt; sister Frances Owens, step-sister, Nora Faye Taylor and son-in-law, Dewayne Craig.

She is survived by three daughters, Oma Jean Owens, Grace Lynette McCann (Lanny), Vicksburg, Mississippi, Ethel Ann Craig, Rockford, Illinois; five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren: also, several nieces and nephews who dearly loved “Aunt Mae.”

A celebration of her life will be 10:00 Tuesday, July 13, 2010 , at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Jerry Martens officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 Monday night at Emerson Funeral Home.

Honored to serve as active pallbearers will be her grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Kitterman, the men from the Calvary Baptist Church and the church ladies’ group, “Caring and Sharing”

The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Mark Wood and his staff; and the nurses, CNA’s and staff at Craighead Nursing Center for their care.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family requests you please consider the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Ave. Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401 or Calvary Baptist Church, 2731 Paula Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72404.