Wendell Raven Owens, Sr.
March 19, 1936 ~ January 22, 2022
ROCKY MOUNT - Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., age 85, passed away peacefully in his home early Saturday morning, January 22, 2022. He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on March 19, 1936. Wendell was the son of the late Henry Bruce Owens and Mary Irene Owens. He was also preceded in death by his precious wife, Ellen Watson Owens; and his brothers and sisters, Lawrence Dillard Owens, Otis Owens, Willard Owens, Wayne Owens, Mattie Gupton, Bernice Parrish, and Arlene Ellis.
Wendell had infinite skills and wisdom when it came to carpentry and general repairs. He once worked as a custom cabinet builder creating custom cabinets and pieces. He used these skills to create many wonderful wooden pieces that are now cherished. The moment he received a request, he loaded up his tools and headed out to the person's house to measure and discuss the project. Then the magic would begin in his workshop. He used these skills when he and Ellen moved in a hundred-year-old home. She presented ideas and creative designs that he fulfilled within that home. He added crown molding, dental molding, and chair rail to many rooms. He loved to tackle a project and totally transform a room. He had great wisdom when it came to household appliance repairs and car repairs. He could identify problems simply by listening to noises or dissecting the issue. Rather than pay a repairman, he tackled the job himself. He had great patience for these projects and was truly the epitome of a skilled handyman.
He had a great love for family. He grew up in a large family of ten children. He was the eighth of ten children. His large childhood family resulted in infinite nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. He loved each and every one with all his heart. He had a passion to help others, and this large family kept him busy. He was a most precious father and deeply loved his three children. After Ellen's untimely death from cancer, he made his children his first priority. When he was not working at the Seaboard Coastline Railroad, he was attending to their every need. He ensured that they had all the love and support a child would ever need. Even with the absence of his wife, Wendell excelled as a single parent. The love he possessed for his children only multiplied as grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived.
Wendell had great compassion for those who were suffering and in need. As his family grew older with failing health, he spent much of his free time visiting those in nursing homes with failing health checking on those he loved so much. He delighted to accommodate family and friends in their time of need. He often provided room and board for short and long stints as the situation merited.
He was a most precious, sweet, kind, gentle, and humble man. He never met a stranger. To know him was to love him. He will forever be in our hearts and our love will live on through our cherished memories.
Wendell leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughters, Wendy Rose and husband, Gary, and Laura Carlton and husband, Mark; his son, Wendell Raven Owens, Jr.; his grandchildren, Brittany Long and husband, Nick, Mallory Rose, Bradley Carlton, and Gracey Rose; his two precious great-grandchildren, Lillie and Nolan; his sisters, Mary Slavin and Geneva Davis; and his dear friend, Mary Currie Owens.
A Celebration of Wendell's Life will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Dan Rolfe officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
The family would like to give thanks to Community Hospice of Rocky Mount, Access Community Based Services, the VA Home Base Primary Care of Greenville and infinite caregivers. Our hearts give special thanks and love to Patryce Perry as primary caregiver for multiple years. She has been an angel in a time of need.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Thursday 1/27, 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
Service
Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home
1130 N. Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> |
Thursday 1/27, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
A Celebration of Wendell's Life will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Dan Rolfe officiating.
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Thursday 1/27, 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
We are so sorry to hear of Wendells passing. Praying for GOD’s peace and comfort to be with you all.
We Always felt so welcome in his home. A warm smile and good conversation. He will be missed a lot. RIP Uncle Wendell, We love you!
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Dawn Winstead lit a candle
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Sue and Jim Toffton lit a candle
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Sue and Jim Toffton lit a candle
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Sue and Jim Toffton lit a candle
Such a great man. Always enjoyed our visits. ❤
Yep that’s my daddy and I love you so much Daddy and I miss you so much right now I just wish you would downstairs laying in the bed so I can walk downstairs and see you but I know you’re not I wish you were I know you’re in a better place only hope that God has really nice reunited you with our mother from many years ago and you were smiling and so happy I love you Daddy and I miss you I wish you were still here right now tonight
Our thoughts prayers go out to the entire family … Use your precious memories of him to help you through this challenging time !! XOXO
Mr. O was a kind man and will be deeply missed by family and friends. Sending prayers to Raven and the Owens family.
He will definitely be missed it was a pleasure to work with a such a great man. love and prayers to the family .❤️🙏🏾
Heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Wendell’s family, children,grandchildren and special friend Mary Owens. May cherished memories of good times warm your hearts with love til you meet in heaven. In Christian Sympathy, Tom and Martha Barnes
Raven – I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. Although I only met him a few times, I could tell he was a kind and loving man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this great time of loss. – Lisa and Robbie Tippette
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Judy & Gary Turner lit a candle
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Larry Pauley lit a candle
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Phyllis Glover lit a candle
To the entire Owen’s family… No amount of words can express the hurt and the hole that I know each of you have in your hearts right now. 💔 Wendell (whom I was also proud to call him ‘Dad’) was one of the kindest and sweetest men I have ever known. Always with a smile on his face that was contagious. Fly high Dad, enjoy your new mind, body and soul! Never to be forgotten and always in our hearts….
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Wendy H Bass lit a candle
In loving memory of the Big O. You were one of the greatest influences in my young life and I’ll never forget your kindness and generosity. With much love, may you Rest In Peace.
Wendy, Laura, and Raven, Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad. You all are in my prayers. If there is anything I can do for your family please let me know.
Wendell and Ellen were best friends to my mom and dad when they were all young adults. We lost mom in 1969 and Wendell and Ellen were so sweet and caring to me and my sister Mary afterwards. So loving. We loved the visits and had so much fun playing like kids do. I remember also how valiantly Ellen fought to stay with us here on earth. Wendy, Laura, and Raven, please accept my condolences for the loss of your father. He was a great man. My dad aka Fish Jones told me of their chance meeting at Fort Jackson when they were in boot camp together. One of many adventures for sure. They were all great friends from humble beginnings and good raising. God will provide you with peaceful loving comfort to sustain you during the difficult days to come. The world is a better place because Wendell lived, and from one Veteran to another, Thank You for your service.
Prayers of peace and comfort for the family. Mr. Owens was always a pleasure to see and always had a smile on his face. I know he will truly be missed by his family but thankful he is no longer suffering. Till we all see you again, RIP Mr. Owens.
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Judy E Turner lit a candle
I love you papa! ❤️
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Mallory Rose lit a candle
Wendy & family, I am so very sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Laura, Wendy and Raven. We certainly will miss your father. It was our honor to care for him. Prayers will continue through this. Bobbi and your family at Community Hospice
Such a wonderful legacy Uncle Wendell leaves for his children , grandchildren and generations to come . Always busy but always had time for someone else. All because of love. I will sure miss him too. Yet, When God called him him home, Saturday morning; Uncle Wendell had so many family members in heaven, Shouting , Here he comes!!!!!!! We are all part of two worlds, 🙏🙏
Laura, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God’s peace bring you comfort.
I miss and love you daddy. Always and forever.
I miss and love you daddy.
In memory of Wendell Raven Owens, Sr., Gracey Rose lit a candle
A little over a week can’t believe you’re gone yeah I missed you today hot tub business really hard but can’t believe you gone Daddy I do miss you so much I wish I could talk to you and fix you breakfast and do your medicine and do whatever I could do to make you comfortable but you not here no more I I just mentioned that I miss you not being here I know you’re in a better place I need to accept that I’m not quite ready to accept it and I miss you I just miss you not being here I love you and I miss you I don’t know what to do I’m so lost your son real I’m so f I don’t know what to do I don’t know what to do I just now I’m so lost without you I just wish you were here I just wish you were here so I could just take care of you I know I can’t take care of you no more but I just I just I just wish you were downstairs Google images of mites cuz I miss you so much Daddy I miss you so much I really don’t know what to do I’m so lost right now I just I don’t know what to do without you here but I got to be strong when I’m not a strong I miss you I wish you were here and I’m trying to hold on and fight Aldi grief and loss and sorrow and but I’m here all alone in this house now and you not here it’s just not sign and I miss you so give me time maybe I can heal right now I’m hurting very bad I’m really just hurting very bad right now I can’t I’m not I’m I’m just not willing to accept the fact that you’re gone right now so I’m holding on to you enough said I know I was I don’t care who looks or don’t look and watches what I say I love my Daddy I miss my daddy I wish you want gone and I’m hurting real bad right now and I got covid and I got such bad headaches is unreal but I just got to fight the best I can it’s all I can do
Yeah I just watch the video again but I just miss my daddy so much I just miss him being downstairs and I’m sleeping downstairs and then see you at all these memories of him with the grandkids and and great-grandchildren and the children and me and Wendy and Lori and I just don’t want him to be gone and I know he’s not going for my heart’s butt damn I miss him so much and I wish you were still here I know he’s in a better place but I just wish you were still here right now if only I could go down here and hug him laying in the bed I just I’m just not ready for him to be gone and I know he is but I’m still not quite ready and I don’t know how to handle it I’m hurting pretty bad and also got covid I’m in Suffern that too but so it has nothing on my daddy passing so it’s hard
445 gold rock Rd rocky I don’t know even a night I know it’s been a couple days but I went downstairs a couple times and just all he be there when he’s not maybe I’m just kidding myself but I miss him and I just I wish you was downstairs now I miss him so much mount nc
445 gold rock Rd rocky mount nc
Yes right now I’m very emotional I miss my dad I know I saw I don’t care about my life I wish I could die right now and just see him again hold him again take care of him again if it’s only for instant I just wish you was still here miss him so much maybe I’m not far behind I’ll get him so you get to see him sooner than later but do miss him sorry
My daddy I still miss you I wish you were here tonight tomorrow morning so I can fix you breakfast I do miss you so much I wish you were here still here in the morning so I can fix you breakfast I know you’re not I know you’re in a better place I’ve got to accept that but right now I just wish you were still here so I can see you in an hour or see you first thing in the morning and I just miss you daddy and I love you so much
Sending prayers to family
I’m so sorry to hear about Wendell. We found each other many years ago with Family Reunions with the Langley Family Tree. We are Family!! If any of you need or want to contact me. Please email or private message. Prayers for All.