Gloria Leach Owen
Vernon Parish native and community matriarch Gloria Leach Owen entered her eternal rest and went home to be with the Lord on the 25th of August after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Owen was a life-long resident of Vernon Parish. She was born in Slagle on June 30, 1925. The second daughter of Claude and Lucille Leach, she spent her entire life in Vernon Parish. Gloria attended and was a 1942 graduate of Leesville High School, where she was an active member of the Wampus Cat Marching Band.
After high school, Mrs. Owen attended Port Arthur Business College, in Port Arthur, Texas where she received credentials in business and office management. During her early years she was very active in civic and youth activities, including Rainbow Girls where she mentored three generations of young girls in Leesville.
In 1955, Gloria married Chester Creighton Owen, also of Leesville. The two operated The Style Center ladies ready-to-wear store for 42 year and were pillars of the local community. Together, they were active in the Leesville civic community as members of Association of the United States Army, Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce and various other organizations.
Most prominently Mrs. Owen served as chairman of The Leesville Women's Commission. During her tenure as Chair, she spearheaded the Clean City drive and was instrumental in Leesville being selected as Cleanest City in the State of Louisiana in 2001.
Mrs. Owen was a born again Christian and was an active and life-long member of the First United Methodist and Grace Southern Methodist Churches of Leesville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Creighton Owen and her parents Claude and Lucille Leach.
She is survived by her dear siblings, whom she loved, cared for greatly and prayed for earnestly: Sister Mixon Lee Brabham and her husband Paul of Richardson, TX. Sister Martha Sanderson and husband Ralph of Tampa FL. Brother and former US Congressman Claude Leach and his wife Laura of Lake Charles LA. Sister Frances Watson and husband Robert of Montgomery Texas. Sister and former Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Carolyn Huntoon and her husband Harry of Barrington, Rhode Island.
Mrs. Owen is also survived by her children: daughter Mae Ann White and her husband, Jamie of Leesville; son Charles Anthony Owen and his wife Carolyn Owen of Benton, LA. Grand children Joseph Creighton Ledet of Baton Rouge, Laura Gaye and Emma Frances Owen, both of Benton.
Visitation for Mrs. Owen will be from 4p.m. to 8p.m., Sunday August 26th, at the First United Methodist Church of Leesville. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 27th at 1p.m. in the Church. Graveside burial will take place at the Leesville cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the Owen Family asks that donations be made to the Methodist Children's Home of Ruston, Louisiana and Leesville High School Alumni Association.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the Owen family at www.labbymemorial.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Charles,
I know the loss of your grandmother must be great. But, I know she is in Heaven trying to see who she can serve. Her picture looked like a lady with class and grace. I pray the Lord to hold your hand through the suffering; I know she would have said don't weep for me, weep for those remaining on earth.
You might not remember me; we met during state FBLA in 1979; I made the horrible speech for reported. We met again with the American Legion speeches at Leesville High School. I knew your father as a school auditor. I was going to make a copy of the yearbook where he and the other auditor did a little dance. I forget what was going on that day. I saw him talking to some people and when they stopped talking; I walked over nodded him with my elbow and asked if he remembered me since we took many pictures together. He said your from Pitkin and basketball. After a long update on you & your sister he noticed a card in my hand. He said are you enrolled? I said no & it does not look as if I can start this term. He said hand me the card & said follow me; when he walked up to the cage the girl jumped up & he said enroll this lady. We exited & during this talk, I asked what are you to now-a-days? When Dr. Cooley called me to stay after class & was telling people if they could/could not take his class; my heart was racing. I asked him how the Russian Ministries were going & I loved his presentation at Mt. Carmel..he said I see we are waiting on your transcript. I did not qualify for either course I took with him. I was so proud of my grades with him. end of story..
mary alcorn
August 29, 2012
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
August 28, 2012
Gloria was a woman with grace, style, and elegance. Moreover, she was a woman who believed in service, as the Lord says, that He comes to serve and not be served. Gloria and her husband were two examples of that with their walk in the Lord! Her meekness and humbleness she earned her wings. I will always remember how she welcomed me in as a friend of her grandson Joseph along with the scouts of Troop 75, as if I was one of her own. We all will miss this woman of grace for she has left us with a great legacy.
Matthew G. Johnston
and Family
August 28, 2012
Chuck, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the Lord comfort and keep you. God Bless.
Shelley Hills
August 28, 2012
Mae Ann and Charles, Your Mom and Dad were so special to me and I am so sorry to hear your Mom is now gone. May God bless you during your time of sorrow.
Love, Ms. Shirley Edwards Lett
Shirley Edwards-Lett
August 27, 2012
Chuck, we are very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. May the Lord bless you and your family. Sincerely,
Mark and Shirlee Owen
August 27, 2012
Coach Chuck, We are thinking about you and your family. We love you. God Bless You! N.LA CRUSADERS
August 26, 2012
Love and prayers to the Leach and Owen famlies - we've lost a great lady. She was a very positive influence in my life and will be remembered.
Glenda Garrett
August 26, 2012
Our sincere condolences are with you.Gloria was a special lady...You can be sweetly conforted by the rememberance of the happy times and the happy place she has gone. These precious memories of happy times spent together are what keeps us going.
Dorothy & Arthur Haymon
August 26, 2012
My sincere condolences to the entire Owen and Leach Families in the loss of their loved one.
Charles Fisher
August 26, 2012
Mae Ann,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your parents were wonderful people and I am most grateful that I was able to know them. Please know that I am offering prayers for you and Charles Anthony. May the Peace of the Lord be with you all.
Tammi Courtney Biggerstaff
August 25, 2012
Gloria Leach Owen was a first class lady and friend of ours through the years. Our prayers go out for the Leach and Owen family members during this time of grief. May the Peace of our Lord be with you at this time and may good memories sustain you during the years ahead.
Lewis R.& Brenda Brown
August 25, 2012
So very sorry for your loss.You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Ssheelagh Sullivan
August 25, 2012
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