Jo Margaret Moore Owen, 88, born Oct. 29, 1925, a native of Bessemer, and a resident of Bay Minette for the past 63 years, died peacefully in her sleep on April 3, 2014.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Helon (Wilson) Moore; her husband of 64 years, Brig. Gen. James R. Owen (Ret.), a prominent attorney and member of the Alabama Military Hall of Honor; and her grandson, James “Tripp” R. Owen III.
She is survived by her children, Peggy Owen Ryan of Bay Minette, James R. Owen Jr. (Shelley) of Magnolia Springs, Albert M. Owen (Terry) of Bay Minette and Lee W. Owen of Montgomery; grandchildren, Rob Jones (Trish) of Buford, Ga., Chad Ryan (Joanne) of Cumming, Ga., Ben Jones (Alvita) of Gulf Shores, Kevin Ryan of Pensacola, Meg Ryan Diedtrich (Jeff) of Woodstock, Ga., Jennifer Owen Peyer (Matt) of Gulf Shores and Chandler Hazelwood (Kati) of Jacksonville, N.C.; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Jo Margaret Owen was a faithful servant to her community throughout her life. After entering the University of Alabama, she served as president of the Chi Omega sorority after first serving as her pledge class president.
She also served on the board of directors of the Women’s Student Government Association at the university, as well as the Pan-Hellenic Council.
After relocating to Bay Minette following marriage, she served on the board of directors of the Bay Minette Youth Foundation, as well as a volunteer for the Deep South Girl Scouts Council.
She also worked for the Red Cross and as a teacher, but her greatest reward came from raising her four children and later grandchildren.
She was a people lover and an accomplished seamstress — always involved in one project or another. She taught her daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughters to sew.
Jo Margaret never lost her sense of humor, even during the hardest times and was a devoted friend to many.
Her sharp wit, intelligence and pithy use of Southern colloquialisms were rivaled by none.
She was a true hostess and Southern lady until the end. “Great food without proper presentation is nothing.”
Jo Margaret was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bay Minette for 63 years, where she was active in the Women’s Missionary Union.
Visitation will take place beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Bay Minette, with the service to follow at 10 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the WMU of the First Baptist Church of Bay Minette, 1201 Hand Ave., Bay Minette, AL 36507.
Arrangements by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette.
To post online condolences, visit www.norrisfuneralservice.com.
