- Date Of Birth: November 10, 1942
- Date Of Death: December 13, 2020
- State: Alabama
The Rev. Dr. Willie Nathaniel Owens, esteemed Pastor of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church for some 65 years, passed away in the early morning of Sunday, December 13, at his home in Huntsville, Alabama. He was surrounded at the time by his loving wife of some 60 years, Mrs. Lucille Brown Owens, as well as, his family.
The Reverend Dr. Willie Nathaniel Owens, the eleventh of eleven children, was born November 10, 1942 to the late John B. Owens, Sr. and Ora Cranfield-Owens of Hillsboro, AL. His parents, three sisters (Johnnie Mae, Madgie, and Sallie) and five brothers (Joe, Jimmy, Hobbs, Thomas, and Oscar) all preceded him in death. He had a thirst for knowledge at an early age. His parents instilled in him the value of education and service to mankind. The Rev. Dr. Owens received his formative education in the public schools of Morgan County, AL. His quest for academic excellence led him to enroll and graduate from Miles College in Birmingham, AL in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Political Science. The Rev. Dr. Owens completed his Master of Divinity at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA in 1979 and his Doctorate of Ministry from the Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL in 1990.
He was united in marriage on June 15, 1960 to the love of his life, Lucille Brown-Owens in Decatur, AL. Together, they raised a family of eight children and enjoyed many years of family love, support, and faithful service to the CME church.
Rev. Dr. Owens accepted the call to preach at an early age. Ordained in July 1962 by Bishop E.P. Murchison of the North Central Alabama Annual Conference, he served as pastor for the following CME churches: Words Chapel of Haleyville, AL ; Real Chapel of Guin, AL ; Acklin Chapel of Gurley, AL ; Gurley CME of Gurley, AL ; St. John of Gadsden, AL ; St. James of Jasper, AL ; St. Mark of Birmingham, AL ; St. Paul of Chicago, IL; Israel Metropolitan of Washington, DC ; Phillips of Huntsville, AL ; Jackson of Courtland, AL ; Lane Metropolitan of Cleveland, OH; Peoples Community of Dayton, OH; Stewart Memorial of Columbus, OH and Acklin Chapel of Gurley, AL. Most recently, Rev. Dr. Owens served as the pastor of Lesley Temple of Tuscumbia, AL.
The Rev. Dr. Owens impacted the lives of countless people during his journey. He always encouraged those around him to establish a relationship with God, pursue higher education, and seek higher opportunities in their career and life. He mentored many who accepted the call to ministry, assisting them in their growth, development, and delivery. The Rev. Dr. Owens inspired and instilled confidence in many people of all ages to broaden their horizon and use time to their advantage. He had a way of saying a few words that would have a lasting influence.
The Rev. Dr. Owens leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Lucille Owens; eight children: Janice Young of Hillsboro, AL, Wanda F. Taylor (Victor) of Evanston, IL, Brenda G. Nobles (Ronald) of Huntsville, AL , Terrina Bolden (Paul) of Decatur, AL, Jeffrey E. Owens (Kimberly) of Chicago, IL, Cassandra L. Owens of Griffith, IN, Sharon D. Owens of Huntsville, AL, and Lakisha R. Taylor (Antonio) of Garland, TX ; 17 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; one sister: Lillie Mae Robinson of Decatur, AL; two brothers: John Owens (Hazel) of Oakland, CA, and Leo Owens of Hillsboro, AL as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, relatives , friends, and church family members.
Homegoing Services for The Rev. Dr. Willie Nathaniel Owens are as follows:
• Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 10- 10:45 am central, Public Viewing at Phillips CME Church, 100 Orange Dr.
Resolutions may be emailed to up until noon (central time) on Friday, December 18th.
Other expressions may be sent to The Owens Family (or Mrs. Lucille Owens) at 6216 Sandia Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35810
