1941
Mary
2013
Mary Lee Owens
December 6, 1941 — September 4, 2013
Mary Lee Owens, wife and mother of seven children, died on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Park Forest Care Center in Portland, Oregon. She passed away due to complications following a major stroke. She was 71 years old.
Mrs. Owens was born on Dec. 6, 1941 in McGehee, Arkansas, to Ralph Waldo Oates and Rosetta Merrill. She was one of eight children.
Mary Lee Oates met Nathaniel Owens in Arkansas and married him after they moved to Chicago, Illinois. They settled in Portland and had seven children along the way.
"We were always told that our mother was one of the prettiest girls in town," said Janette Owens, her youngest daughter. "She had a sweet spirit and enjoyed playing basketball as a young teen." Mrs. Owens worked briefly outside the home before becoming a full time homemaker.
She leaves behind daughters Cathy Ashford (Oscar) of Oakley, CA; Janette Owens of Olive Branch, MS, Cynthia Owens and Rosemary Owens of Portland, OR; sons Malcolm, Darnell (Amber) and Eric Owens (Shei'Meka) of Portland, OR.; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Her siblings are sisters, Azzie Lee McGehee, (Alonzo-deceased), McGehee, AR, Dorothy Orr, and Diana Myles (P. Edward), of Chicago, IL; brothers, Rev. Troy Lee, Flint, MI, Ralph Oates, Chicago, IL. and predeceased brothers Adolph Oates and Cleveland Jones and surviving sister-in-law Azzie Lee Jones.
Mrs. Owens was born on Dec. 6, 1941 in McGehee, Arkansas, to Ralph Waldo Oates and Rosetta Merrill. She was one of eight children.
Mary Lee Oates met Nathaniel Owens in Arkansas and married him after they moved to Chicago, Illinois. They settled in Portland and had seven children along the way.
"We were always told that our mother was one of the prettiest girls in town," said Janette Owens, her youngest daughter. "She had a sweet spirit and enjoyed playing basketball as a young teen." Mrs. Owens worked briefly outside the home before becoming a full time homemaker.
She leaves behind daughters Cathy Ashford (Oscar) of Oakley, CA; Janette Owens of Olive Branch, MS, Cynthia Owens and Rosemary Owens of Portland, OR; sons Malcolm, Darnell (Amber) and Eric Owens (Shei'Meka) of Portland, OR.; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Her siblings are sisters, Azzie Lee McGehee, (Alonzo-deceased), McGehee, AR, Dorothy Orr, and Diana Myles (P. Edward), of Chicago, IL; brothers, Rev. Troy Lee, Flint, MI, Ralph Oates, Chicago, IL. and predeceased brothers Adolph Oates and Cleveland Jones and surviving sister-in-law Azzie Lee Jones.
Visitation
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Monday, September 9, 2013, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Graveside Service
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Wednesday, September 11, 2013, 11:00 AM
Cemetery
Rose City Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Wednesday, September 11, 2013, 11:00 AM
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