Marsden M. Owens

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Marsden Miles Owens was born on November 20, 1939, in Latta, South Carolina, to Reverend Garfield Owens, Sr., and Mrs. Earlie Mae (Miles) Owens. He was the third of four children and a proud graduate of Latimer High School in 1957, a product of the Latta School District. After high school, he honorably served in the United States Army until 1960.

In 1960, he married Ruby Lee Ware, and together they welcomed two sons: the late Reverend Dannie Keith Owens, born in 1961, and Marsden Maurice Owens, born in 1970. On July 15, 2025, Marsden and Ruby celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Marsden began his quest to create opportunities for himself and his family after relocating to New Jersey in the 1960s. He spent 23 years at Leo Keller Meat Industries in Newark, overseeing chemical processing. He then managed Highbeam Business Machines in East Orange for 4 years. His final employment was as a corrections officer at Union County Correctional Facility, where he served for 15 years before retiring in 2005. During his working years, he also became a licensed real estate broker in New Jersey. To further his education during his working life, he attended Bloomfield College to study accounting. Marsden worked hard providing for his family and supporting countless others who sought to improve their lives.

Though raised Methodist, Marsden embraced Baptist practices after leaving South Carolina. In New Jersey, he served on the trustee board at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Newark. After the family moved to Scotch Plains in the 1980s, he dedicated many years to the usher board at St. John’s Baptist Church. In 1994, he was ordained a Deacon at Salem Baptist Church in Jersey City, shortly after his son Keith was installed as the church’s pastor. He served there until he and Ruby returned to their home state of South Carolina in 2005 to retire. His commitment to service continued at Trinity Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon under the late Reverend William P. Diggs. He was eventually named Chairman of the Deacons Ministry until his health declined.

Marsden’s transition follows the passing of his brothers, Garfield Owens, Jr. (2004) and David C. Owens (2024).

He leaves a loving family to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Ruby W. Owens, and son, Marsden Maurice Owens. From his eldest son, Keith, he is survived by his daughter-in-law, Olga Bradford-Owens, and grandchildren, Ashley L. Owens Douglass (Patrick), Danielle C. Owens, Miles Bradford Owens, and great-grandson Emory Douglass. From his youngest son, Maurice, he is survived by his Marsden Miles Owens grandchildren, Mariah A. Owens, Matthew M. Owens, and his bonus grandson, Michael A. Gordon. Marsden will be deeply missed by his sister, Nora Mae Barr; his sister-in-law, Vermell Lloyd; his brother-in-law, Wilbert Wheeler, Jr.; his best friends, Clarence Cain, Eddie Collins, Deacon Douglas Price, and Tony Wilson, as well as many nephews, nieces, and countless others whose lives he touched.

"May the work I’ve done speak for me"

Visitation will be from 4 PM - 8 PM at the home. In lieu of flowers donation can be given to the Heart Foundation. McLeod Cardiac Service, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502-0551

Please keep the family of Marsden Miles Owens in your thoughts and prayers.