Macon —
Judge Wilbur D. Owens Jr., 80, died Wednesday, April 28, 2010, after a long illness.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2010, in Riverside Cemetery, entering through the Madison Street entrance. Visitation will be after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia or to Wesley Glenn Ministries.
Judge Owens was born on Feb. 1, 1930, in Albany, Ga., to the late Wilbur Dawson Owens and Estelle McKenzie Owens. He grew up in Albany, where he began his career working odd jobs as a paper boy, a meter reader, and a peach packer. In middle school, his family moved to Miami, Fla., for two years while his father volunteered as a captain in the U.S. Army. While in Miami, he served as president of his junior high school class. He then moved back to Albany and graduated from high school at the young age of 17. Judge Owens attended Emory University and the University of Georgia, serving as both rush chairman and president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He graduated from Georgia Law School with his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1952.
Owens served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1954 at Edwards Air Force Base in California and in the Reserves from 1954 to 1968. He moved back to Albany and worked in private practice before becoming vice president and trust officer for the Bank of Albany. He was then secretary-treasurer of the Southeastern Mortgage Company from 1959 to 1962. While living in Albany, Judge Owens served as chairman of the United Givers Fund, president of the American Cancer Society, chairman of the March of Dimes Campaign, and a steward at the First Methodist Church.
In 1962, Judge Owens and his family moved to Macon, Ga., where he became Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, resuming private practice from 1965 to 1972, with the law firm of Bloch, Hall, Hawkins, and Owens. During those years, Owens also served on the Board of Trustees of Stratford Academy and the Board of the Museum of Arts and Sciences. He was chairman of the Bibb County Republican Party and ran for state representative.
On Jan. 21, 1972, Owens was nominated by President Richard M. Nixon to a seat vacated by his mentor and friend, William Bootle. Judge Owens served as a judge for the Middle District of Georgia and later as the chief judge until 1995, when he assumed senior status. Judge Owens retired in January 2008. While on the bench, Judge Owens was known for his fairness, his work ethic, and his adherence to professional standards. He was also a genuinely kind man and was a mentor to many who worked for him and with him.
Judge Owens was a former member of Mulberry Methodist Church and the Kiwanis Club and a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Macon Rotary Club, and the Grid Iron Club at the University of Georgia.
Judge Owens is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Glenn Owens; children, Lindsey Stevens (Brad), Wilbur Owens (Beth), Stell Syretz (Rich), and John Owens; and grandchildren, Brad Stevens Jr., McKenzie Stevens, Scott Stevens, Christopher Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Catherine Syretz, and Carolyn Syretz. Judge Owens is also survived by his sister, Beverly Cummings and her husband, Bob, of Atlanta; and his brother, Dr. Bobby McKenzie and his wife, Dr. Kerry Reif of Bozeman, Mont.; and many nieces and nephews. — Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Cherry St., Macon
Legacy
Judge Wilbur D. Owens Jr.
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Lillie Christine “Teenie” Ferrell
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Lucile W. Garner
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Linda Reese Stapp
Linda Reese Stapp, of Lake Park died Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at South Georgia Medical Center. She was born on June 16, in Eatonton, Ga. to the late Newton Henry and Emma Lou Holder Reese and had lived in Lowndes County for forty years. Mrs. Stapp was a retired beautician having worked for Benny Mitcham at the Head Boutique for many years. She was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church, attended the Lake Park First Baptist Church and attended Sunday School meetings at Lake Park Christian Church. Mrs. Stapp enjoyed her family and going to Target.
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Bobby Webb
Mr. Bobby Webb, 70 of Hahira passed away April 28, 2010 at South Georgia Medical Center.
He was born March 22, 1940 in Hahira to the late Sammy Benjamin and Cora Lee Kimsey Webb. He lived in Lowndes County most of his life. He was retired from Clay Freeman’s Auto Parts and was a member of Remerton United Methodist Church. -
Grace Valentine Rentz
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August George (A.G.) Miller
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
August George (A.G.) Miller was born June 26, 1949 to the late Carry H. and Edner Miller in Bayminette, Ala. He passed this life April 28, 2010 at his residence. A.G. accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. He spent his early years in Howell, Ga. and later moved to Homerville, Ga. where he attended the Clinch County School System. He moved to Valdosta after serving his country honorably in the United States Navy for five years. A.G. was employed with Crackling Good Bakery in Valdosta, Ga. for 26 years. -
Doris Johnson Molle
Doris Johnson Molle, age 83, of Orange City, Fla., passed away April 27, 2010, at Florida Hospital and Memorial Medical Center, Ormond Beach, Fla. She was born in Hahira, Ga., on Dec. 30, 1926, to the late Ivey W. Johnson and Estelle Kelly Johnson.
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Judge Wilbur D. Owens Jr.
Judge Wilbur D. Owens Jr., 80, died Wednesday, April 28, 2010, after a long illness.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2010, in Riverside Cemetery, entering through the Madison Street entrance. Visitation will be after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia or to Wesley Glenn Ministries. - More Legacy Headlines
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Lillie Christine “Teenie” Ferrell
