Annie Ruth Owens

Annie Ruth Owens, 86, of Bolivar, departed this life Sunday, October 4, 2020 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

The widow of James Archie Owens, who died on March 5, 2002 after 49 years of marriage, she was a homemaker and worked in the cafeteria at Bolivar Elementary School for 23 years. She was born Monday, September 3, 1934 in Hardeman County, daughter of the late Thomas Lofton Smalley and Katie Byrd Smalley and lived all of her life here, even taking care of her mother for 5-6 years. She married James Archie Owens on February 1, 1953, just a year after she graduated from Middleton High School, and cared for him for 10 years after he had a stroke. A loving wife and mother, she was known for making pies for friends, visiting nursing homes and taking care of all her children's needs. Among her hobbies, she enjoyed line dancing & two-step dancing throughout West Tennessee with her friends. Her family describes her as always being active, having a servant's attitude, and that her independence was very important to her. Mrs. Owens was a member of Bolivar Church of Christ.

Survivors include two daughters, Lindy Owens Lambert of Myrtle, MS and Carla Owens Cutler of O'Fallon, MO; a son, Randal Archie Owens (Linda Holloway Owens) of Medon; three grandchildren, Leah Caitlin Lambert, Sarah Catherine Grace (Patrick Hunter Grace) and Stephen Benjamin Cutler; one great grandchild, Louis Gabriel Grace; and a sister, Virginia Sisco of Bolivar. In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Smalley and a sister, Peggy Smalley Boone. Memorial contributions in her name may be sent to the American Stroke Association (www.stroke.org/donate) or the Bolivar Church of Christ.

The family respectfully requests that the public wear a mask or a facial covering while attending the visitation or service for Mrs. Owens.

While visiting or attending services for Mrs. Owens, please consider the following guidelines:
* Maintain 6 feet between yourself and the next closest person;
* Refrain from hugs and handshakes;
* When you sneeze or cough, use your elbow to cover your nose and mouth;
* Wash your hands often;
* Avoid touching your face; and
* Minimize time spent in places where people gather.
Thank you for your consideration.