Florence Owenby

Arden – Sarahmae Florence Allen Owenby, 93, went home to be with the Lord Friday, February 19, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, Mrs. Owenby was a member of Long Shoals Baptist Church, where she was active in the WMU. She was also very active in the 4-H Program. However, she was more devoted to her husband and seven children above everything else. Mrs. Owenby was the daughter of the late Leonard Carmon and Elda Haynes Allen. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Chester Millard Owenby, Sr., who passed away November 25, 1995; a son, Carmon Franklin Owenby; son-in-law, Charles Dumas; sisters: Clara Peeler, Rubena Frizsell, and Ozella Warner; and brother, Thurman Allen. Surviving are her sons: Chester Millard Owenby, Jr. and wife Margaret, Jerry Voyd Owenby, and Ronald Wayne Owenby and wife Diana; daughters: Elaine Owenby Dumas, Linda Owenby, and Clara Owenby Sweet and husband Jeff; daughter-in-law, Cherolyn Owenby; sister, Lelia McAbee; brother, Bernard Allen; sister-in-law, Evelyn Cannon; fifteen grandchildren; twenty seven great-grandchildren; one great, great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Long Shoals Baptist Church, with the Rev. Roger Rearden officiating. Burial will follow in Roberts Memorial Park, with her grandsons serving as pallbearers. Mrs. Owenby will lie in state from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Long Shoal Baptist Church, 661 Long Shoals Road, Arden, NC 28704. Anders-Rice Funeral Home is assisting Mrs. Owenby’s family with her funeral arrangements.