Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” Holton Owen, 99, of Tifton passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Legacy Village in Tifton. Born June 5 1924 in Lakeland, FL, she was the daughter of the late Tipton Holton and Ruth Arline Holton. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, L.R. Owen; son, Melvin Owen; brothers, James and Finley Holton; and sister, Seabie Glenn.
On August 30, 1941, she married her Leroy. They were married 62 years before his passing. During that time together, they welcomed two sons to their family. Melvin and Benny, then later, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty then became known as Mema to them and most everyone. She loved to spend time with them and many years she cared for them.
Along with her family, Betty enjoyed years of service to her God, Jehovah. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on August 15, 1942. She remained an active member of the Tifton Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses until her health began to decline.
She loved to bake pecan pies and make mayhaw jelly. One year, she was even able to get the family together to join her in the annual jelly making. She wanted them all to learn to make her special jelly recipe.
Betty is survived by one son, Benjamin l. “Benny” (Donna) Owen; daughter-in-law, Sandi Owen; seven grandchildren, James (Melissa) Owen, Marcus (Diana) Owen, David (Deirdra) Owen, Jacob (Patty) Owen, Jessica (Anthony) Allison, George Owen, and Zane Owen; and eight great-grandchildren, Savannah Owen, Lee Owen, Zachary Owen, Mary Beth Allison, Alex Owen, Alexis Owen, Haley Allison, and Harley Owen.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Tifton, GA, with James S. Leedy, officiating. Grandsons James Owen, Marcus Owen, David Owen, Jacob Owen, George Owen and Zane Owen will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the West Tifton Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, P.O. Box 7324, Tifton, GA 31793.