Donniece C. Owens

In Loving Memory of Donniece Celestine Owens

Donniece Celestine Bunnell Owens peacefully passed away on June 13, 2025. She was born on September 8, 1947, to the union of Ollie Thomas Bunnell, and Maxine Redmon Bunnell on the southside of Indianapolis, Indiana, affectionately known as “Love Town”.

Donniece received Christ at an early age at New Garfield Baptist Church, and later in life became a devoted member of Mt. Carmel Church, where she faithfully served in the Church’s food pantry ministry, continuing to walk in faith and service. Donniece attended Indianapolis Public School, Harriet Beecher Stowe #64, and graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 1965. During high school, she had taken additional courses that would later advance her business skills.

Donniece joined in holy matrimony in 1965 with Clyde L Owens, from that union, one child was born, Jeffrey L Owens. Though no longer married, Donniece and Clyde remained friends and shared a deep respect for one another.

Donniece started her career at the State of Indiana, later going to American State Insurance. She then found her dream job with Indiana Bell/AT&T, supervising, teaching, and training, retiring as a Project Manager after 25+ years.

In 2008, a vision was born to honor Maxine Bunnell for her excellent cooking, mostly from scratch, by opening a family restaurant called Maxine's Chicken & Waffles. Her nephew Brian Bunnell insisted Donniece would be the leader of the kitchen. Donniece loved cooking. She used all the cooking and baking skills passed down from her mother to provide “a taste of love in every bite.” Donniece co-owned and worked as the kitchen leader for 10 years until her health wouldn’t permit her to do so.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maxine and Ollie Thomas Bunnell, brothers Thomas, Randell, Charles, and Ray. Grandchild Taylor M Owens, Great grandchild Harmony Johnson. Donniece leaves to cherish her precious memory, son Jeffrey (LaTonya), siblings Shirley Grundy, Jolene Clark (James), Darrell Bunnell (Marlene), Rhonda Anderson, and Terry Bunnell. She also leaves to cherish grandchildren Deondrea Owens (Jermaine Johnson), and Jarrel Owens (Josh White). Great grandchildren Davari Owens, JaNiya Fuller, Jeremiah Johnson, Jermaine Johnson, and Jaiavonni White, and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends.