Carla Ashley Owen

Carla Gail Ashley Owen, 91, passed away peacefully November 9, 2025. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday November 16, 2025, at Jackson Street Church of Christ in Monroe, Louisiana. Visitation will be held at 1:00 P.M. until the time of service. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Calhoun, Louisiana under the care and direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, West Monroe.
Carla was born on February 4, 1934, in Vernon, Texas, to Frederick McMillan Ashley and Grace M. Ewing Ashley. She graduated from Hayward Union High School in 1951 and earned her degree from Abilene Christian College in 1955.
On June 15, 1957, she married the love of her life, Joe Connell Owen, Sr., in San Leandro, California. Together they built a home rooted in faith, hard work, and family.
Carla was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents; her sister, Betty Rose Ashley Axup; her brothers, David Russell Ashley and William Allen Ashley; and her son, Joe C. Owen, Jr.
She is survived by her children; Dedious A. Willis and Jerry (Chester, VA), Samuel C. Owen and Sandra (Granville, TN), Frank McMillan "Mac" Owen and Mary (Divide, CO), David A. Owen and Janice (West Monroe, LA), Rebecca Kay Owen Willis and Jeff (Kenton, TN); and daughter in law Shari Owen.
Carla's greatest joy was her family including her 19 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren who were constant reminders of God's faithfulness "unto children's children" (Psalm 103:17).
A devoted servant of Christ, Carla poured her heart into teaching children's and women's Bible classes, sending Bible correspondence lessons to jail inmates, and serving as the Women's Editor for AMEN News for several years. She was active in Extension Homemaker Clubs and a part of the Pro Family Forum and found joy in quilting and encouraging others through her writing and faith.
Carla's life was marked by perseverance and purpose. Her faith was steadfast- woven into every lesson taught, every letter written, and every prayer whispered for her family, continuing to live on in the generations to come.
Her grandson, Sammy Owen, Jr., shared: "Faith runs deep in our family -sometimes quiet, sometimes wild, but always there. It started long before I was born, with my grandparents Joe and Carla Owen. Together they raised a big family built on hard work, faith, and love. Their legacy is not perfection, but redemption passed down - and we give God all the glory."