Rosemary Duke Owen

Rosemary Duke Owen, 88, of Waco, Texas, passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, February 16, 2024. An 8th generation native Texan, she was born in Haskell, Texas, and grew up in Waco. An avid horsewoman and rodeo barrel racer, she was featured on the cover of Texas Parade magazine in 1951. She graduated from Waco High School in 1953.

Rosemary enjoyed being a wife, homemaker, Cub Scout Den Mother, and PTA mom. She raised her four children with godly values and a strong love of family. A widow for 32 years following the death of her beloved Burton in 1991, she was very involved in the Hewitt Community - a regular at Curves with over 2000 visits, Editor of the Hewitt WhyNot and, along with the Rowdy Bunch, was one of the unofficial founders of Warren Park.

Rosemary was a faithful member of Hewitt Methodist Church and a member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT). She was an early member of Tea Party Patriots and at the age of 74 traveled to Washington, DC for The 912 in 2009. She was known locally for her frequent letters to the editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald.

Perhaps her crowning achievement was becoming an author at age 79 with the publication of her book "Miles and Miles of Texas". In it she chronicled her travels to each Texas county to see the county courthouse and do genealogy research.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her two older brothers, Collins Welsh and Billy Bob Welsh, and husband Burton Owen.

Rosemary is survived and lovingly remembered by daughter Kim Robinson (Paul), daughter Marie Mason, son Shawn Mason (Karen) and daughter Tracy Owen; her grandchildren Herman T. Bell, Laura May, Mallory Banda (Mike), Melissa Sullivan (Chase), Travis Mason (Keli), Walter McConnell; 11 great-grandchildren: Emily, Molly, Madilyn, Mckenzie, Brayden, Liam, Mikah, Maddox, Bella, Alex, and Millie Rose.

Rosemary chose to donate her body to science. Memorial service arrangements are pending.