Russell Utah Owens

Russell Utah Owens went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 19, 2016. Russell, a long-time resident of Washington County, Virginia and a member of Abingdon Baptist Church, passed away at English Meadows Assisted Living in Washington County where he most recently resided with his wife of 40 years, Joanna Maiden Owens.

His family will remember him as a devoted husband, kind brother, and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather with a generous heart, who embodied the spirit of his Christian values, always placing others before himself. Many others will remember him as a Chief Petty Officer of the United States Navy, a member of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry, or for his nearly 60 years of service to the residents of Virginia as Medical Administrator for the United Mine Workers of America, Administrator of Health Programs for the Appalachian Regional Commission, Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, or as the Chairman of the Washington County Industrial Development Authority.

Russell was born on October 30, 1923, to Ted and Lina Owens in Dickenson County, Va. One of six children, Russells only remaining sibling is Betty McClanahan who resides with her husband Gerald McClanahan, in Tazewell, Va. In addition to his wife Joanna, Russell was loved and is survived by his daughter, Sharon D. Leonard and husband Robert L. Bob Leonard, of Bristol, Va.; daughter, Janet M. Turley and husband Richard Turley, of Bristol, Va.; and son, Dennis R. Owens and wife Kathy Lee Owens, of Bristol, Tenn., along with several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by four grandsons: Jonathan Jon Leonard and wife Hope of Bristol, Tenn.; Nathaniel Nathan Leonard and wife Heather of Blountville, Tenn.; Joshua Josh Taylor and wife Kristi of Bristol, Tenn.; and Seth Taylor of Bristol, Tenn.; and by four great-grandchildren, Ashton Leonard, Ethan Leonard, Averie Leonard, and Townes Russell Taylor.

The funeral service for Russell Owens will be held at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 22, 2016, at Abingdon Baptist Church, 361 West Main Street, Abingdon, Va. 24210, with Pastor Scott Price of Fellowship Chapel, Bristol, and Rev. Richard Foil officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday prior to the service from 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m at the church. The committal service and interment will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2016, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Michael Poole officiating. Active pallbearers will be Bob Leonard, Richard Turley, Jon Leonard, Nathan Leonard, Josh Taylor, and Seth Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald McClanahan, Bradley McClanahan, Chris Morgan, John Daniels, Jimmy Wallace, members of the Washington County Industrial Development Authority Board who served with Russell through 2011, the Denton-Foil Sunday School Class, and the Jerry Vincill Senior Sunday School Class. Military honors will be performed by the Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the United States Navy.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contribtions be made to Abingdon Baptist Church, 361 West Main Street, Abingdon, Va. 24210, or to Fellowship Chapel Church, 201 Crockett Street, Bristol, Va. 24201.

Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Russell Utah Owens and his family are in the care of the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, Va. 24210 (276-623-2700).