Everett C.H. Owens

Born on Christmas Day, 1913, Everett Christmas Humphrey Owens was the youngest child of Anna (Thomas) and Robert R. Owens. His nine siblings, Gladys, William, Irvin, Vaughn, Chester, Elizabeth, Sydna, Hubert, and Elinor, all have predeceased him. He was raised on farms in Rolette County, ND, and Cheyenne County, NE, where he traveled to school on horseback or in a horse-drawn sleigh.
While completing high school, Everett worked on farms, and sold groceries, clothes, and Fords. After high school he moved to Chicago to attend college. While completing his studies, he worked at Mandel Brothers Department Store, "hooked" and delivered ice to homes, sold Fuller Brushes door-to-door, chauffeured, and processed packages/shipments for an express company, holding many of these jobs simultaneously. He graduated from the Chicago Evangelistic lnstitute, attended Wesleyan College, Marion, Indiana, and graduated from Wesley College, Grand Forks, North Dakota, before becoming a pastor in the United Methodist Church. He served congregations in North Dakota and Indiana for 58 years.
Everett married Doris Dahl-Hultin Owens in 1942 in Chicago. Three children were born to this marriage. Ronald Everett lived from November 20-25, 1943. Sheryl Ann lived from 1944-1999. He is survived by his daughter, Roberta R., two cousins, and many nieces and nephews, including the four King brothers, A. Ronald, K. DeWayne, Samuel Louis III, and Harold Owen, with whom he lived during high school.
Everett was known to accentuate conversations with many "sayings." He expertly weaved song and verse through sermons and mediations. He punctuated many a church or community meeting with well-chosen humor, good will, and sincerely spoken challenges. He admired the writings of many, including D. Elton Trueblood, and oft quoted, "We have made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when we plant shade trees under which we know full well we will never sit." Everett's study often required extra surface space for blueprints. He led development and construction for numerous church remodeling projects, facility additions, and new parsonages. His most treasured acclamation was for "religious and spiritual guidance in soil stewardship and soil and water conservation" from the Conservation Districts of America. Along with his life-long collaborator, Doris, he developed countless initiatives and interesting events to enhance the work and life of their congregations and communities. In their first small North Dakota congregation, they developed a remote "boxcar" café in the midst of fields of sugar beets and grain. There church members raised funds to better equip the religious education program of their church by cooking and serving food to farmers during the busy harvest season. Vibrant religious education programs were a hallmark of their ministry.
While a pastor, Everett was also an active community participant. He served as Chair of United Way Campaigns, leader of the Boards of Ministry and Pensions, member of the Council on Race and Religion and the Commission on Camps and Conferences. He worked to develop and expand church camping programs for children and youth in North Dakota and beyond. His family often satirized his long tenure as Chair of the Committee on Committees, during which he meticulously organized nominations and appointments to every official committee of statewide organization of the United Methodist Church. He was a member of numerous civic organizations over the years, including Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, and NAMI. Before leaving Fort Wayne, Indiana, he chaired the Oxford Neighborhood Association and served on the board for the Allen County Council of Aging. After relocating to Valdosta to live near his daughter, he attended First United Methodist Church. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Hospice of South Georgia. He enthusiastically supported the development of the Langdale Hospice House, where he died peacefully on May 1, 2011.
His daughter, along with cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends are deeply indebted to the kindness and care of Laura Leonard and Bob Moon of First United Methodist Church; Sandy, Pearlie, and Thelma of Alzheimer's Caregiver Time-Out (ACTO) of Valdosta; Talitha, Tama, and Dottie of ResCare; and, a host of wonderful people at Hospice of South Georgia for their recent ministry and care in support of Everett.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Simpson United Methodist Church 2501 S. Harrison St., Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Everett served as Visitation Pastor for fourteen years, until 2000. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Bethel Cemetery, Garvin, MN. A visitation will be held in Valdosta at First United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 4:30 pm until 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, ACTO, or Legacy of Caring, a nonprofit organization founded by Roberta Owens and Mary Ellen Dallman, which was championed by their proud father and neighbor, Everett.
Carson McLane Funeral home is serving the family in Valdosta. Condolences may be made online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602