Mrs Juanita Berry Owens

Juanita Berry Owens was born March 28, 1921 in Warren, Arkansas. She passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Home in Monroe, Louisiana at the age of 94 years. Graveside service will be held at 3:00PM Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at Christ Church Cemetery in Bastrop, LA, with Rev. J. Roddy Taylor officiating under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe. Juanita spent her childhood years in Bastrop, Louisiana, where her family owned and operated a grocery store. While attending BMI Business School, she met Herbert Stanley “Sonny” Owens of Jena, Louisiana. After falling in love, the two were married on October 3, 1942. Soon after, the couple moved to a military base in Virginia. It was here that Sonny prepared for deployment to the Philippines, where he served our country in World War II. Juanita journeyed back to Bastrop to work at Golden Funeral Home while she awaited his return. When Sonny returned from the war, they set their roots in Jena, Louisiana and began their family. Juanita became active in Nolley Memorial Methodist Church where she frequented Sunday school and joined the United Methodist Women. She participated in the Jena Garden Club, as well as the Home Demonstration Club, and fashioned a home that served as a haven for her coffee-drinking friends who stopped by regularly to engage in conversation. Lovingly known by her family and friends as “Nene”, Juanita was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who was dedicated to her Lord, her church, her family, and her friends. Juanita is survived by her daughter, Sara Nan Owens Shamblin and husband John of Monroe; her son, John Stanley Owens and wife, Nancy of Arlington, Texas; and daughter-in-law, Loretta Shadow Owens of Ruston. Her grandchildren are Amanda Shamblin Wood of Monroe; John Owens Shamblin and wife Jennifer of Monroe; James Roath Owens and wife, Megan of Dubach; Megan Owens Martin and husband, Geoff of Ruston; Robert Berry Owens and fiance, Valerie of Ruston; Jonathan Raymond Owens and wife, Kacie of Baton Rouge; John Patrick Owens and wife Evan of Hamburg, Arkansas; and Katie Owens Eskew and husband, Brian of Monroe. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren: Sarah Elizabeth Wood, Hannah Catherine Wood, Rebekah Grace Wood, Gavin Payne Simmons, Jacob Alexander Owens, James Michael Owens, Sean Christopher Owens, Allyson Hale Martin, Tucker Hamilton Martin, Mary Margaret Owens, Beau Michael Owens, Fintan Patrick Owens, and Everett Clare Owens. She was preceded in death by her parents, James William and Sarah Gladden Berry; her brother, James Berry; her husband, Herbert Stanley “Sonny” Owens; her sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Jack Ellis; a baby girl; her son, James Robert Owens; and a great-grandson, James Wyatt Martin. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Glory Battle and the staff of St. Joseph’s Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Nolley Memorial Methodist Church, Jena, Louisiana, Pilots for Patients, or the charity of your choice. “For it is in dying that we are born into eternal life.”