Jesse Owens

Former Mansfield resident Jesse Owens, 93, died Monday, March 21, 2005, at Samaritan Regional Health Systems.

Mr. Owens was born Jan. 26, 1912, Rowan County, Kentucky, and was the son of Sim and Vica Littleton Owens. He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the South Pacific.

He lived in Clearfield, Kentucky for 41 years and was employed at Lee Clay Products Company. He moved to Mansfield in 1953 and was retired from Empire Detroit Steel Cyclops Division in 1977 where he was a railroad switchman and engineer.

He was a member of First Church of God. He was also an honorary member of the United Steelworkers Union Local 169 in Mansfield. He was an avid gardener, loved being outdoors and helping his neighbors. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are one son, Jesse T. Owens and wife Alinda of Winston Salem, North Carolina; a daughter, Shelia Owens-Bauer and husband John of West Salem, Ohio, with whom he made his home for the past eight years. Other survivors include one brother: Victor Owens of Mansfield; one sister, Bessie Shumate of Morehead, Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews.

His wife, Clara Elam-Owens, whom he married September 14, 1935, preceded him in death on July 18, 1979. Also preceding him in death were his parents and seven brothers: Kenneth, Elbert, William, Walter, Buddy, Frank, and Melvin Owens.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2005, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel. Entombment will be in Brown Cemetery in the Owens Family, Mausoleum with full military rites conducted by Morehead American Legion Post No. 126.
Friends may call after 5 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, Morehead, Kentucky.

Memorial expressions may be made to Good Shepherd Nursing Home, 622 Center St., Ashland,
OH 44805.

Turner Funeral Home, Shelby, was in charge of local arrangements.