Calvin Eugene "Gene" Owenby

Franklin, NC - Calvin Eugene "Gene" Owenby, age 83, of Franklin passed away August 14, 2009 at his residence. Born November 22, 1925 at Nantahala, he was the son of the late General Wheeler and Delphia Cochran Owenby. He was preceded in death by a sister, Pauline Owenby Jones and a brother Newell Owenby. A life long native of Macon County, he served in the Navy during World War II. He was self employed as a timberman, cattle and tobacco farmer, and a mica miner. He was a member of the Cowee Baptist Church.

He is survived by a daughter, Patricia Owenby and her companion, Jack Hendrickson; a son, Mitchell Owenby and his wife, Gloria all of Franklin, NC; three grandchildren, Stacey Owenby and Jason Simpson of Franklin, NC, Stephanie Reese and her husband, Jason of Marietta, GA; six great-grandchildren, Zachary, Lindsay, Jacob, Amber, Sophia and Julian; the mother of his children, Jessie Wilson; four sisters, Inez Bateman of Chattanooga, TN, Wanda Ballew of Peach Tree, NC, Louise and Ruth Day of Nantahala, NC.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 16 at 4:00PM in the Chapel of Bryant-Grant Funeral Home with Rev. Lloyd Fish and Rev. David Powell officiating. Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery. Pearly Owenby, Dale Duvall, Sidney May, Mike Arnold, Charles Pickens and Mike Ramsey will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends Sunday, August 16 from 2:00-4:00PM, two hours prior to the service at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Briartown Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Juanita DeWeese, 19292 Wayah Road, Topton, NC 28781 or to the Charity of one’s choice.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.