Abingdon, Virginia - Sarah Elizabeth Flannagan Owens, 93, of the Wyndale community, went to be with her Lord on June 29, 2009. She was a loving and caring maternal figure who, in turn, was loved and respected by her family and many friends who now celebrate her long life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence D. Owens, who passed away in 1960. She was born the 6th of 12 children of Ella Snyder Flannagan and W. A. "Red" Flannagan of Wyndale. Her one surviving sibling is Audrey Lloyd of Abingdon with who she remained very close until her death.
Mrs. Owens is survived by three daughters and a son, Patsy McCroskey and husband Fred of Abingdon, Joyce Mason of Bristol, Mary Ellen Bass and husband Gary of Elm City, North Carolina, and Ron Owens and wife Kathy of Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one on the way, 1 great great grandchild with one on the way, many nieces and nephews, and a host of special friends and neighbors. She has been a great inspiration to all of this extended family and was affectionately known as Bill and Mamaw "O".
She was a lifelong and active member of the Wyndale United Methodist Church where she participated in the Women's Society, having served as President. She was employed as a Teacher's Aid for several years at Wallace Elementary and later at Greendale Elementary where she retired.
Mrs. Owens enjoyed writing about past times especially the history of Wyndale. Her articles are published in the publication "Miners Lamps and Cold Mountain Winters."
Funeral services for Mrs. Owens will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Wyndale United Methodist Church with Rev. Amy Bartee, Pastor Kenneth Widner and Pastor David Rader officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Wayne McCroskey, David McCroskey, Shane Bass, Michael Mason, Steve Mason, and Brody Owens. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mark Fleenor, Mark Landreth, Paul Evans, and Rusty Street. The family will receive friends at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "Wyndale UMC, Sarah Elizabeth Owens Fund", in care of William Fleenor, 17201 Wyndale Road, Abingdon, Virginia 24210
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