Ernest B. Owens

Ernest Owens, age 85 of Calhoun, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2016 at his residence. Ernest was born on February 3, 1931 in Calhoun, GA to the late A.C. Owens and Mae Mealor Owens. He was a member of Calhoun First Baptist Church, and served on the Board of Deacons. He was a member of the Oothcalooga Masonic Lodge #154, F.A.&M.; was past president of the Calhoun Jaycees; and the Red Bud Alumni Association. He served in the United States Air Force. For many years, he sang with his brothers and sister in the gospel quartet, “The Owens Family.” After military service, Ernest was employed by Lockheed Aircraft. Later, Ernest and his brother Arthur opened Roy’s Drive In. They also, operated Pasquale’s restaurant in Gordon Hills Shopping Center. He was the owner operator of the Coal Yard, and then later partnered with Wilson Baxley in the Calhoun Home Furnishings Store. Owens Trash Service was his last business until retirement. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Keith Owens; three brothers, Arthur Owens, James Owens, and Charles T. Owens; and two sisters, Christine Balliew and Dorothy Owens. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Jean Owens of Calhoun; daughter, Kelly Fuquea and her husband Kenny; brother, Kenneth Owens and his wife Debbie of Calhoun; four sisters, Pauline Davis of Calhoun, Dolly McEntyre of Calhoun, Linda Galloway and her husband Jimmy of Calhoun, and Dimple Darnell and her husband Edward of McDonough; and two grandchildren, Owens Fuquea and Lacey Fuquea. Funeral Services will be conducted on Sunday, May 8th at 3 PM at Calhoun First Baptist Church with Dr. John Barber, Dr. Bert Vaughn, and Al Cadenhead officiating. “One Touch” quartet will have charge of the music. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery with Thomas Owens, Steven Owens, Robert Owens, Edward Owens, Chad Owens, Mitchell Owens, Randy Andrews, Matthew Worley, and Barry Roberson serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Faith Seekers Sunday School Class. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 5 until 8 PM at Thomas Funeral Home. In addition to flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Calhoun First Baptist Building Fund at P.O. Box 758, Calhoun, GA 30703. You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Ernest Owens.