Hoyett Wilson Owens Jr.

Public viewing for Mr. Hoyett Wilson Owens Jr. will be held on Monday, September 15, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peoples Funeral Home, 886 North Farish Street, Jackson, Mississippi.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 12:00 noon at New Horizon Church International, 1750 Bobby Rush Blvd., Jackson, Mississippi. His Final Resting Place will be at Garden Memorial Cemetery, 8001 Highway 49 North, Jackson, Mississippi

Hoyett Wilson Owens Jr., a servant leader, was born Monday, June 12, 1950 in Jackson, MS to the union of Hoyett Wilson Owens, Sr. and Mary Martin. He peacefully transitioned from time to eternity on Friday, September 5, 2025 after an extended illness.

The oldest of three children. Hoyett took very seriously his role as the elder brother to his siblings and extra provider for his beloved mother. Always willing to share, Hoyett took great joy in sharing his success with his family members including his in-laws. He was the guy that you could always depend on to take care of the busy in an exceptional manner.

His profession of faith in Christ at an early age shaped him into a servant-minded leader. Although a man on the move he never left the church, having been a member of New Hope Baptist Church of Jackson, MS, Living Word Christian Center of Forest Park, Il and New Horizon Church International of Jackson, MS.

He graduated from Brinkley High School and Jackson State University, where he earned a degree in Business. It was in high school that he met and fell in love with his soul mate and partner for life, Betty Jo McElroy. This love would be the glue to a forty-year marriage. Although they did not have children, they most certainly were each other's baby, taking care of each other till they could do so no more.

He was an architect of relationships, using his natural and spiritual gifts and talents as a conduit, connecting people and companies. A true "Renaissance man," he was highly knowledgeable with expertise in a wide range of fields. His media experience includes special projects and events management for CBS-owned and operated TV stations - Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and The Learning Channel. He was the general manager of Chicago's AM radio station, WVON, where he was responsible for its format conversion from music to talk radio. He was the founder and Chairman of I Like It Communication where he served as music director for the nationally syndicated television show "Blues Going On."

His company managed and produced the Quaker Oats Voices of Tomorrow and the Wrigley Gospel Choir Com- petition where the Gospel music career of Gospel music superstar Tye Tribbett was launched. He was founder and Chairman of All Printing and Graphics, the largest African American printing company of its time, with a strategic
partnership with R R Donnelley & Sons, a global provider of marketing, packaging, print, and supply chain solutions.

Notwithstanding more than 40 distinguished years of experience in television and radio, he was most proud of the critical role he and his agency Owens Morris Communications played in the 2004 launch of TV One, a digital cable and satellite television network whose programming targets African American adults with a broad mix of original lifestyle and entertainment-oriented series, documentaries, movies, concert performances, and sitcom reruns. With Hoyett at the helm, Owens Morris Communications became the agency of record-responsible for distribution, marketing and advertising, programming, and special events management.

"Hoyett Owens was of critical assistance to our company in the formative years of our first cable network, TV One," said Cathy Hughes, Urban One Founder and Chairperson. 'Although marketing was the priority of his contract, Hoyett was always available and able to assist wherever and whenever needed. I thank God for placing him in our lives and we are eternally grateful for the blessing of having his knowledge, strategy and work on our behalf."

Not one to rest on his laurel, in 2012 he along with his friend Jerry Mannery launched Faith-Based Communications, a full-service marketing communications agency and events management company for the African American faith- based market, with McDonald's Corporation entrusting them to manage and produce the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour for eight years.

He maintained dual residency in Chicago and his hometown of Jackson, Miss. for 40 years before deciding to reside solely in Jackson.

He is preceded in death by the lifelong love of his life, Betty Jo Owens, his father Hoyett W. Owens Sr., and his be- loved step-father, Nathaniel Thomas, who raised him. He leaves behind memories more precious than gold to be cherished by his beloved mother Mary Thomas, sister Dr. Belinda Owens, brother Stanley Thomas; brother in law Pete McElroy; sister in laws, Shirley McElroy, Edrenna McElroy, Mary Dampier McElroy, and Marjorie McElroy; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Hoyett Owens summed up his life by adding, 'I'm a very confident man who loves God, and am passionate about gospel music and entertainment. I'm truly doing what I've been placed on this earth to do."

In the spirit and manner in which Hoyett lived, let us all be reminded to take a benevolent approach to life and help others whenever and however we can. Attack every second...Maximize every minute... Empty yourself daily to those you love and those you serve.

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