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Everett Owens Obituary
SPARTANBURG, SC-- Everett "Cotton" Owens, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior, finishing life's race and joining his beloved wife in the ultimate victory lane on Thursday, June 7, 2012. The NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and owner leaves a legacy of loyal fans and deep friendships.
Cotton was born May 21, 1924 and grew up in Union, SC, before building a racing empire in Spartanburg. But life was richer than the racing. He was equally proud of his service to the nation in World War II in the U.S. Navy. He leaves behind a legacy of love. He lost the love of his life just two months ago, Dollie "Dot" Moore, his wife of 66 years.
He adored his children and their spouses: Don and Sara Joan Owens and Debbie and Danny Davis. Four Grandchildren and their spouses will treasure special memories: Kyle and Meredith Davis, Brandon and Melanie Davis, Ryan and Michelle Owens, and Cari and Bruce Spanton. Nine great grandchildren will never forget their "Pop": Kara, Mallory, Tyler, Savannah and Cooper Davis, Carson and Zach Owens, and Nicole and Jake Spanton. He is also survived by two brothers, Ralph and Larry Owens. Also surviving, his brothers and sisters-in-law; Frank and Joann Moore, Clarence Lee, Mickey Johnson, and Kaye Moore; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Hub Blankenship at Milestones Church on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church auditorium.
A private burial will be held in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In remembrance of Cotton, memorials may be made to Mobile Meals, P.O. Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304 or Spartanburg Regional Hospice, 101 E. Wood Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303.
The Owens family would like to thank all of those faithful friends and co-workers who were so important to them through the years.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.JMDunbar.com
Dunbar Funeral Home
& Crematory
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Everett Owens
Freddy Bailey
June 15, 2012
As a child I spent every summer with my relatives in Pacolet. My uncle would take me to Cotton's garage and I recently found my pictures of Cotton and me taken in the early 1960's. One time Cotton asked if we had eaten lunch and we said no, so we all went to the Beacon. There I was, all of 12 years old eating hamburgers with Cotton Owens. What a wonderful memory he provided me with.
I'm sorry for your loss and grateful to have known Cotton.
Perry Wood
June 12, 2012
Cotton Owens was a personal hero of mine most of my life and an inspiration to many. God Bless the Owens Family.
Sterlina Anderson
June 11, 2012
Jane aand I send our prayers and thoughts to the family! Cotton was a legend in his own time and was indeed a fine gentleman who brought pride and grace to our County and State and Nation in his life! Peace be with you all in the loss of this true "son of Spartanburg!
Sterling and Jane Anderson and family
June 11, 2012
Our Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for all the help at the Shrine races.
Tony Leppard
Past President Greenville Shrine Club
June 11, 2012
You were such an inspiration and appreciated all the help at the Shrine races. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Tony Leppard
Past President Greenville Shrine Club
June 11, 2012
You will surely miss you Cotton you were such a blessing in my life, and appreciated all the help at the Shrine races. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Tony Leppard
Past President Greenville Shrine Club
June 11, 2012
We will surely miss you Cotton you were such a blessing in my life.
Tony Leppard
Strawberry, & Cheryl Simmons
June 11, 2012
So sorry to hear about Cotton's passing. May God be with his family during this difficult time. He was the sweetest, Kindest man we have ever met. My husband stopped a few times at his garage & he treated us with such respect & kindness. Spartanburg has lost a real legend. God Bless You All.
Carolyn/Annie Hill
June 11, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
June 11, 2012
Debbie and Donnie, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember my times with your family. Cotton and Dot was always so good to Mama and me. We both love you all. Jackie Coker Greer
Linda Brown
June 10, 2012
We want to add our condolences to the many that you have already received. Jim and I first met Cotton and Dot about 12 years ago, at Edelman School, where Milestones Church had Sunday Services. We hit it off right away. We usually sat behind them and teased them about "making out" during church, since Dot would often fall asleep on Cotton's shoulder! They had usually been out late on Saturday, racing with their grandson. When Milestones moved, the table in the back of the coffee area is where we headed to visit awhile with Cotton and Dot--I guess we sat and talked most Sundays for years. We have never known a couple more humble and gracious in the face of great accomplishments, or more Christian in their lives. We feel honored and grateful to have known them. This double loss is so hard on those who love them most, but I'm guessing it is just what they would want. We send our thoughts and prayers for God's comfort to be with you.
I suppose they are racing most Saturday nights in Heaven now--and not even getting tired! Godspeed. Love, Jim and Linda Brown
Frank Williams
June 10, 2012
Sorry to hear about your loss we have lost a great legend in the sport of racing, I remember him in the old modified races in the #70A many years ago RIP Cotton Heaven has called home a champion!!!
Sherry Liming
June 10, 2012
Debbie and Family, so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers
go out to you and your family.
Wayne and Sherry Liming
June 10, 2012
Dear Family,
So very sorry for your loss. Cotton was a fun customer at LJ's Metro Restaurant in the late 70's and early 80's.
May God be with you, all, during this period of bereavement.
Blessings,
Jayne Marsh
and Family
Lisa M. Leigh
June 10, 2012
R I P Mr. Cotton,
Prayer and Blessings to your family. Mr.Owens will always be remembered in our hearts.
The Mayo-Leigh Family
Arthur and Jessie Sanford
June 10, 2012
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Kyra Kendrick
June 10, 2012
I never got to see Cotton race but he was talked about all the time when i was growing up. My grandfather Harry Lee Newton raced with him in the early years. He will be truly missed among all race fans but his legacy will continue thru the Nascar racing family and community. With deepest sympathy, Kyra Kendrick, Rhonda Newton Waddell, and Mrs. Harry Lee Newton
Charles & Shirley Hudson
June 9, 2012
Dear Debbie & Family,
We are sorry that we will not be able to be with you tomorrow - we will be out of town until Tues. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your Dad.
June 9, 2012
Growing up on the south side of Sptbg,I used to stop at his station on South Church St. My Daddy, JW Wisham was a friend of Cotton Owens,and my older brothers Joe,and Tom used to hang out and help him. Fine Christian Man I am so glad he made it to the Hall of Fame. But wait,He is in the Great Hall of Fame with his beloved wife,and our Lord and Savior.
Pollie Robinson
June 9, 2012
Growing up on the south side of Sptbg,I used to stop at his station on South Church St. My Daddy, JW Wisham was a friend of Cotton Owens,and my older brothers Joe,and Tom used to hang out and help him. Fine Christian Man I am so glad he made it to the Hall of Fame. But wait,He is in the Great Hall of Fame with his beloved wife,and our Lord and Savior.
June 9, 2012
Cari,
I worked with you back in 2006 out of Jerri Greene's office successfully helping promote Cotton Owens Day, and with Cotton on the SC Racing Museum project.
Your grandfather was an amazing person and I count myself among those privilaged to have known him. Your grandmother, too.
One day we over at Paul Ianuario's house video taping Cotton, Bud Moore, and Roger Mandeville for the museum project, and after we had interviewed them, we asked the wives if we could interview them, too. We'd asked the guys about the drivers of today versus "back in the day", and they all gave us politically correct answers. Then when we asked your grandmother Dot the same question, she "exploded" with something to the effect of, "No one can hold a candle to my Cotton!"
'Nuff said.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family. Another of our legends has joined the immortals
Bob Reuschle.
June 9, 2012
We've lost a true Legend, Pioneer and great friend. Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May God bring peace to your hearts as only he can.
-Margaret Frank (Mrs. Larry Frank & family)
kenny morris
June 9, 2012
RIP Cotton---was to young to see you race but,the stories my dad told me about you will live on.you will be missed for sure.--Kenny Morris,wade,ms
Vickey Jones
June 9, 2012
He will be miss ...A True Nascar Legend....My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family...Kenny, Vickey and Chris Jones
Cathy Littlefield
June 9, 2012
He will be missed. My Daddy (Ray Spencer) was friends with him and I had met him years ago. Prayers are with the family....
Patricia and Maurice Petty
June 8, 2012
We will always cherish our many wonderful memories of Cotton. He was a good, honest man who achieved so much in his life. He would probably tell you that his greatest achievement in life was his family. We are honored to have known him and honored he was our friend.
He is now reunited with his beloved Dot.
RIP Cotton.
Thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy to the entire family.
Bill Powell
June 8, 2012
RIP Cotton. You will be missed by many that have known you.
helen traxler
June 8, 2012
Debbie,you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time in your life,we will all miss you dad,he made a large impact on Spartanburg,he was a great influence on everyone interested in racing,never knew him personally,but we admired him may he rest in peace,and may GOD bless you and your family
Jack Lynch
June 8, 2012
We lost another Nascar pioneer. Some of the things he accomplished were legendary. I have been a Nascar fan since 1963. Will never forget the time in 1964 when all of the best dirt car racers from Nascar held a match race, Cotton owens went out and blew all their doors off! Jack Lynch Belvidere Tn,
Larry Smith
June 8, 2012
As you know, I spent my teenage years at Cotton Owens Garage. I loved that man as much as my own Dad. DO, Brandon, Ryan, Debbie, Danny, Lewis, and the rest of the Family, please accept my sincerest condolenses and heart felt sorrow. Cotton and Dot are together now.
Patti Gault
June 8, 2012
Dr. Davis, Sorry to hear about your grandfather. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Patti Gault
BILL DOTSON
June 8, 2012
WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH AT TIME SUCH AS THIS, BUT WE ALL CAN FIND PEACE IN OUR HEARTS KNOWING THAT COTTON IS STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF OUR LORD WITH HIS SWEET DOT BY HIS SIDE, NEVER TO HURT AGAIN. AS FOR MYSELF I KNOW I AM A BETTER PERSON FOR HAVING KNOWN BOTH OF YOU AS FRIENDS, COTTON AND MRS DOT MAY YOU FOREVER REST IN PEACE MY DEAR FRIENDS!
Casey G. Vaughan
June 8, 2012
Kyle and Family,He was great in all he done in life and with Nascar!! I am very sorry and send my prayers out to all of you. To all those Racing in Heaven you just received another legend.
Billy Tessnear
June 8, 2012
Family,
Words can't say what we have all lost in Cotton Owens. He was a great man who loved his wife and children dearly. He also loved his friends. What a honor it is to call him my friend.GOD bless you all.
johnny johnson
June 8, 2012
some my best memories were watching cotton race at the spartanburg fair grounds many years ago when i was a teenager.
ray lamm
June 8, 2012
it was honor to meet cotton thur the years.a great guy to know.my prayer are to his famly at this time.
Scott Adams
June 8, 2012
Nascar and more importantly, Spartanburg, has lost one of the alltime greats of Nascar. Although he will be missed by many, including family and friends, we can all take comfort and rejoice in knowing he has been reunited with his wife he lost a couple of months ago and that he is with The Lord Jesus Christ. Cotton, you will be remembered for some time to come and will always be with us as you entered the Nascar Hall of Fame and more importantly the Hall of Fame in Heaven for all Eternity.
Sharon Kirk
June 8, 2012
This world has truly lost a great man thank you for your service to our country he will be greatly missed by all who knew him you are all in my thoughts an prayers.God has called another angel home.
Brenda Greenway
June 8, 2012
Danny and Debbie and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. He was a legend and will be missed by so many, but none more so than his wonderful family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
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