Charles William Owens' Obituary
Charles was born December 17, 1921 to Maude Woodhouse Owens and Noah Owens in Poplar Branch, NC. He was the current oldest member of Poplar Branch Baptist Church until his passing Monday, September 12, 2016.
Charles was a graduate of Poplar Branch High School, class of '38. He met the love of his life just a mile from his home. They corresponded while he served with the 355th Army Corp of Engineers Company A during World War II, primarily in Normandy and Northern France.
After returning from the war, Charles married Carolyn Parker Walker and so the 57 year love affair began. He graduated from Kings Business College, and after moving to Charlotte, he began a career in 1947 in law enforcement as a railroad detective with Southern Railway, later Norfolk Southern, from which he retired in 1985.
Upon their retirements, Charles and Carolyn enjoyed working with youth through the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). Both received lifetime achievement awards for their years of service. They also enjoyed reunions and helped organize multi-class high school reunions, of which Charles was the chairman for 28 years. He was also instrumental in organizing and attending reunions for the 355th engineers. They also traveled the United States visiting friends.
Charles had a lifelong passion for family and for his Lord. He was active in family genealogy projects and was his church's unofficial historian. He loved Poplar Branch more than anywhere else and his corner of the porch at his home place that would catch any breeze in the county. He was awarded a commission as a Kentucky Colonel on June 15, 1988.
Charles is survived by his sister, Doris Owens Griffin, his daughter, Charlene Owens Sawyer and her fiancée Stewie Drum, her daughter Danielle Sawyer Robinson and her husband JP Robinson, and their children James and Charlie.
The family would like to thank Charles’ medical team for their help and dedication and love.
James Funeral Home is serving the family. A visitation will be held at James Funeral Home in Huntersville Friday at 1:30pm with the celebration of life to follow at 3pm. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park
In lieu of flowers, please make any memorials to the Building Fund of Poplar Branch Baptist Church, PO Box 247, Grandy NC 27939.
Online condolences can be made to jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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