Jonas H. Owensby

Jonas H. Owensby, age 82, of Marion, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Savior on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 at The McDowell Hospital. Jonas was born on July 16, 1927 in McDowell County to the late Whit Owensby and Desser Mae Biddix Owensby. Following a stint in the U.S. Army, he later retired from Henredon Furniture Company. He enjoyed going to church at Nealsville Church of God and will be remembered for his engaging personality and infectious laughter. Hunting and fishing and taking long rides were some of his favorite pastimes. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and a friend to all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Faye Webb Owensby; a daughter, Janie Faye Roper; two grandsons, Scotty Wayne Monn and Douglas Lee Owensby; a sister Mary Owensby Toney; two brothers, William Ray Owensby and Andrew Owensby; and a son-in-law, Danny Mace. Deeply saddened by this loss are his wife, Audrey Childers Owensby; four daughters, Mary Kessel and her husband, Marvin, Lois Ann Hollifield and her husband, Bruce, Kathy Hovis and Donna Mace and her partner, Larry Waldroup; a step-daughter, Liz Greene and her husband, Glenn; two sons, Jerry Owensby and his wife, Ginger, and Michael Owensby and his wife, Joan; a son-in-law, Burts Roper; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A celebration of his home going will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009 at 11 a.m. in Westmoreland Chapel with Revs. Doug Carpenter and Mike Zullo officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in McDowell Memorial Park with military honors provided by the U.S. Army. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Audrey at 197 West Court Street, Apt. 3, Marion, NC 28752. Westmoreland Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. An online register is available under OBITUARIES at www.westmorelandfuneralhome.com.