He was born on Aug. 5, 1929, in the Great Smoky Mountains and moved to Cleveland as a young child.
He was a son of the late Eli Tom and Lillie Ownby.
He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served four years on the USS Henrico. He enjoyed farming and raising cattle, bluegrass music and hiking in the Smoky Mountains.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one son, Gary D. Ownby; and two brothers: Melvin Ownby and Ennis Ownby.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 62 years Lucille; one son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Wilma Ownby; one daughter-in-law and her husband, Sheri and Dominic Ferrara, and their son, Sam; three sisters: Irene Keys, Marie Carroll and Reba Teague, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
A memorial celebration service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Macedonia Baptist Church, 3119 Spring Place Road, Cleveland TN 37323 with the Rev. Rusty Langford and the Rev. Arris Cavender officiating. Music will be provided by Jodi Roberts.
Military honors will conclude the service.
Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family will gather and receive friends at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the service.
You are encouraged to share a memory of him and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial web page and guest book at www.companionfunerals.com.
Companion Funeral & Cremation Service of Cleveland was honored to assist the Ownby family with these arrangements.
