Clara Ann Owens

Clara Ann Owens of Rome passed away surrounded by her family on Monday October 27, 2025. Clara was born in Kewanee, Illinois May 22, 1943. She is preceded in death by her parents Ciriel Grawet, Glenn and Lola Malone. Her father passed away when Clara was just six years old and when her mother remarried, Glenn took her in as her own and she would refer to him as the only dad she knew. Others to include were a brother George Malone, two grandchildren, Madison Owens and Dylan Salmon. She also is preceded by her husband just short of 50 years, Jerry Arthur Owens.

Clara was a homemaker and enjoyed her travels all over the country with Jerry in their RV. In later years together they enjoyed heading South for the Winter to their Florida residence in Bonita Springs where they had many friends in the senior community there. In addition to being a homemaker she worked tirelessly beside Jerry in their jewelry businesses from Illinois to Georgia. Locally they owned and operated Star Jewelers from 1993 until its closing in 1999. At this point they moved to Hernando Mississippi where Jerry worked with Harrah’s Casino as a pit boss until finally retiring in 2007 and relocating back to Rome, GA where the rest of their family resided.

Clara was a devoted wife and enjoyed cooking, sewing, birdwatching and loved her dog Annie who was at her side when she passed on to Heaven. She loved playing cards and being with her family. Clara often enjoyed listening to music from the 60s-80s with Elvis and Conway Twitty being a couple of her top picks to listen to. Clara was of the Christian faith and professed Christ as her savior.

Those that loved her most knew her as stubborn and witty, also she was very opinionated, not always wanting to follow rules, as she would say “rules are made to be broken”. She had a big heart and anyone that knew her enjoyed her company. She would be the first to tell you how she felt about a topic and she made no bones about it.

She leaves behind a son, John Owens and his wife Tracy (Clara’s favorite daughter in law) and Cindy Salmon, her husband David (Clara’s favorite son in law). Two sisters, Vicki Purdy and Lelia Halcom. Eight grandchildren and several great grandchildren also survive.

In following her instructions clearly, she will be cremated and the family will have a graveside service or as she directed; “whatever costs the least amount of money”. Ideally the grave is located next to Walmart which was Clara’s favorite place to shop for bargain prices.

Family service will be Thursday October 30, 2025 at Floyd Memory Gardens at 1:00. It will be officiated by family friend and Pastor, Matt Green. The family requests flowers be given since Clara loved colorful flowers or a donation to PAWS or the Humane Society in her memory.

Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Clara Ann Owens.