Toby Owens

1939 - 2023

Toby Owens
July 23, 1939 - July 7, 2023
Eureka Springs, Arkansas - Toby Janya Owens (Spradling), age 83, of Eureka Springs, entered the Kingdom of Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 7, 2023. Naturally, a cardinal perched outside her window to usher her home.
Toby was born on July 23, 1939, to Frank and Berniece Spradling, in Union City, Indiana. She graduated from Union City Community High School, earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, and her Masters degree in Science of Education - Secondary Learning Disabilities from the University of Kansas. She was a passionate educator who believed in children and in their creative abilities. She loved to teach more than anything.
She was a lifelong learner, reader, writer and servant leader who helped others whenever she could. She adored Christmas, could stretch five dollars at a garage sale like no other, and was a force to be reckoned with at cards.
Toby loved Jesus with all her heart. She worshiped at First Christian Church and volunteered with the prayer team, women's ministry, shoe box ministry, and as a Sunday School teacher.
Toby was a beautiful reflection of Jesus Christ, a dedicated mother, a hard worker, and a treasured friend. She overflowed with love, generosity, strength, determination, creativity and curiosity. Her favorite place to be was wherever her children, grandchildren, and extended family were. She loved having us all together at The Gathering Place, her home in the Hillspeak woods. She shared her heart and home with family and friends near and far, her church family, missionaries, and folks she barely knew who needed a quiet and peaceful place to rest and reflect.
Toby especially loved her role as 'Oma', and couldn't be more proud of her seven grandchildren, as well as her nieces and nephews and their children. She treasured each one, covered each with prayer, and always had an ear to listen, a word of encouragement, or a hug to give. Her legacy will live on in all of our lives.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Iva Berniece (Cook) Spradling, and her father, James Franklin Spradling.
Toby is survived by her identical twin sister Terry Joanne (Spradling) Jones, and her brother James Franklin Spradling; her son Dave Owens (Kim), her daughter Amy Janya (Owens) Hallagan (John), and her daughter Megan Elizabeth (Owens) Bennett Worcester, and her grandchildren, Zella Elizabeth Bennett, John Conor Hallagan, Kennedy Owens, Madison Owens, Ike Owens, Mahlon Boone Bennett, and Owen Jacob Hallagan; and her beloved nieces and nephews.
"How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - Winnie the Pooh
Thank you, Mom! Your joyful spirit and heart of gold will continue to shine in all the lives you touched and blessed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on December 16, 2023, 11:00 am, First Christian Church, 763 Passion Play Rd, Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Barnabas Place Ministry, 3807 State Hwy 23, Eureka Springs, AR 72632.