Neva Mae Owens' Obituary
Neva Mae Helton Owens, 85, passed away late Thursday evening, May 21, 2009, surrounded by all four generations of her loving family. Mrs. Owens spent her final few days at the Hospice of East Texas, after sustaining many small falls in recent weeks at her lovely residence in The Hamptons Retirement Community in Tyler. Mrs. Owens was born and lived almost all of her life in Dallas, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Neva Helton, and by her twin sister Eva Rae Young, who died in 2004. With their younger sister, Jean Helton Webb, the twins grew up in old East Dallas, in a fun-loving and joyful family, and they continued to spread joy to friends and family throughout their lives. A nature-lover from birth, Mrs. Owens befriended any creature that crossed her path, resulting in many humorous encounters with the animal kingdom. Mrs. Owens married Thomas H. Owens, Jr., June 2, 1945, in Providence, R.I., shortly before Mr. Owens shipped out with the navy for the last months of World War II. Mr. Owens survives his wife and continues to reside at The Hamptons in Tyler. The Owens family grew to four with daughter, Pamela Jean, and son, John Thomas. The family was active at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church, where Mrs. Owens was for many years a Sunday School teacher in the Beginners and Preschool Departments, was involved in the Women’s Missionary Union, was a leader for the Girls’ Auxiliary, and served in many offices in her Sunday School Class. The ASCE Wives Club was a very important activity for Mrs. Owens; she also served that group in many capacities. Devoted to her children, Mrs. Owens, together with her husband, was president of the Hillcrest High School Band Booster Club, was active in the PTA at each of her children’s various schools, and was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for her daughter Pamela. Mr. and Mrs. Owens often accompanied the Hillcrest Band and Debate Teams on out-of-town trips and were well-liked by all the young people. Mrs. Owens and her husband loved their Hillside Village neighborhood, especially their neighbors and close friends of 54 years, William and Dorothy Vaughn. Mrs. Owens loved all living things, and was a friend to all birds and other creatures that crossed her path. Her favorite Bible Verse was, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Along with Mr. Owens, Mrs. Owens is survived by daughter Pamela Jean Owens and Richard Ream, of Omaha, Nebraska; son John T. Owens and Janis Owens, of Troup; grandaughter Johanna Ruth Aron and Matthew Aron, grandson Joseph R. Owens and Yomayra Guzman Vasquez, all of Chicago; grandson John R. Owens and Mariah Bianchini, with great-granddaughter Annabelle Simone Owens, of Durham, N.C.; sister Jean Webb and Norman Webb of Dallas; brother-in-law Archie Young of Longview; nephew Matt Webb, of Dallas; niece Karen Anderson and Steve Anderson, of Houston; and greatniece April Anderson. Mrs. Owens also is survived by Mr. Owens’ cousins James Nance and Lina Jane Nance, and their children and grandchildren, by dear friends Mary Ellen Crossland, Ruth Wilson Keeton, and many other life-long friends throughout East Dallas. Funeral Services will be held Sunday afternoon, May 24, in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland, and will be conducted by the Rev. Tom Downing, long-time friend of the Owens family. Pallbearers will include Steve Anderson, Bill Savage, and Mrs. Owens’ grandsons and grandson-in-law. Visitation for Mrs. Owens will be Saturday evening, May 23, at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. Thank you to The Hamptons at Pine Ridge and Hospice of East Texas, for their outstanding care of Mrs. Owens, and also to the countless friends who have loved her and surrounded her with joy through her long and happy life. She lived to see her children’s children, to the fourth generation, reached old age in the company of her friends, and has come now at last to the Kingdom of Heaven.
What’s your fondest memory of Neva?
What’s a lesson you learned from Neva?
Share a story where Neva's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Neva you’ll never forget.
How did Neva make you smile?