Charles Waverly Owens

OWENS, Charles Waverly, 86, of Richmond, Virginia, died peacefully at home on April 20, 2016. Charlie was born at home July 20, 1929, at 2502 East Grace Street, Churchill, Virginia, the oldest son of Charles Cornelius and Lucille Ashworth Owens. On February 24, 1947, Charlie married the love of his life, Rachel Adline Clark. They shared 69 happy years together. Charlie is survived by his wife, Rachel; daughters, Susan Snowa (Ed), Sherry Celesia (Angelo) and Shelly Owens (John Woolley); 10 grandchildren, Rebecca Doroshenk (Joe), Diana Daves, Larry Daves (Heather), Marcus Snowa (Angie), Melanie VanDyke, Rebekah Chinnis (Jeremy), John Snowa (Megan), Sarah Snowa, Jennifer Celesia and Charles Celesia; 17 great-grandchildren, Tristan Dougherty, Severin Doroshenk, Olivia Caldwell (Kevin), Zachary Roberts, Hayden Harris, Nathan Snowa, Chelsey Snowa, Zachary Snowa, Cadence Snowa, Ashton VanDyke, Hannah VanDyke, Samuel Monteiro, Seth Monteiro, Audrey Shortt, Svanah Chinnis, Aurora Chinnis and Collin Snowa; five great-great-grandchildren, Gabriel Caldwell, Cameron Caldwell, Jasper Caldwell, James Caldwell and Harper Roberts; his nieces, Debra Ziegengeist and Julie Stewart; and a number of other relatives and close friends. His beloved firstborn daughter, Sandra Daves (Larry), was called home before him. He missed Sandra every day these last almost 14 years. His son-in-law, Larry Daves, remained a devoted son to the end. He was also predeceased by his parents, Neal and Lucille; and his brother, Joe. Charlie was an active member of Central Baptist Church for over 65 years, serving as a Sunday school teacher for 50 years, Deacon and Personnel Committee Chairman. He also volunteered extensively, serving in many capacities, including president, with the Central Chesterfield Ruritan Club for 41 years, where he was known as "Tobacco Worm," and as President of the Philip Morris Retirees Association for 19 years. Charlie was employed for 50 years at Philip Morris, working his way up from tray boy to Manager of the Philip Morris Training Center. He still holds the longest service record for the company. He served his country as a United States Marine. Charlie was a man of avid curiosity who loved reading. He was a lifelong learner, earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond when he was in his 40s. Charlie has been blessed by so many rich relationships throughout his life. It would be impossible to name all those special people. He had many wonderful, lifelong friends at Central Baptist Church, especially his dear pastor and friend, David Turner, his "lunch bunch" guys from Phillip Morris and neighbors he cherished. At his last home at The Crossings of Bon Air, he had numerous friends. While residing there, he was helped greatly by the best nurse ever, Curtis Bond, who had a solution for...

Published by Joseph W. Bliley Funeral Home | Full obituary