Virneda Irby Owens Obituary (1909 - 2001)

OGDEN---On March 10, 2001 in answer to a higher calling, Virneda Owens departed this life in her home at the blessed age of 92 in Chandler, Arizona. She was born January 6, 1909 in Crescent, Oklahoma to Hannibal and Birda Mae Irby. On May 24, 1924 in Crescent Oklahoma, she entered into holy matrimony with Halsie B. Owens, a union that lasted seventy-five years until his death on October 22, 1999. From this union was born two sons and four daughters. They later moved to Ogden in 1945 and became life long residents. Her life was dedicated to service to her fellow mankind. She worked in various occupations: Nurse's Aide, Cook, Nanny, Seamstress and Foster Parent. In acknowledgement of her many years of service to the community, she has received various awards including, Mother of the Year by the Serells, the Governor's Office Foster Care Mother of the Year, Community Service Award and in 1999, the Governor's Black Advisory Board and Jet Magazine recognized her and her husband on their Seventy-fifth Wedding Anniversary. She also was a Life Member of the NAACP. She was a member of the Church of God in Christ and served faithfully for over forty-five years. She served in many capacities: Assistant State Supervisor, Licensed Evangelist Missionary, Stat Fellowship President, Hospitality Board, Finance Committee, Scribe for the Bishop, Church Mother, Bible Band President, Prayer Intercessor. She also was a founding member of the Lincoln Avenue/Finley Temple Church of God in Christ and Charter member and graduate of the C.H. Mason Bible College where she served as the school's Registrar. She was full of wisdom, love and generosity that she shard with everyone that she came in contact with. She truly loved the Lord and conveyed this love to her family. She is survived by her four daughters: Evelyn (Robert) Harris; Roy, Utah; Oretha (Frank) Brooks, Holladay, Utah; Vivian (Jack) Brown, Ogden, Utah and Vasthi Moseley, Layton, Utah; one sister, Margaret Norwood, Crescent, Oklahoma, 29 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren, 42 great great grandchildren, great great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. She was preceded in death by parents, her husband, two sons, four brothers, three sisters, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. VisitationMyers Mortuary 845 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 March 20, 2001 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CemeteryMyers Evergreen Memorial Park 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 March 20, 2001 ServiceGriffin Memorial Church of God in Christ 2424 E Avenue Ogden, UT 84401 March 21, 2001 11:00 AM