Luvertha Owens

Death stares us in the face day to day. The meadows that were green a few days ago are now brown. God’s word the Holy Bible teaches us “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flowers thereof fadeth away.” Such was the life of our mother and grandmother, Luvertha Owens.

Luvertha, 83, passed away peacefully December 10, 2014 in Racine, Wisconsin. She was a native of Mobile, Alabama and a resident of Racine for the past sixteen years. She was born on November 12, 1931 to the parentage of the late Lee and Annie Pearl Wilson of Castleberry, Alabama.

While living in Mobile, Luvertha was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. In addition to raising a large family, she owned and operated a beauty salon and was the first director of Dearborne YMCA S.A.I.L. Program. After her move to Racine, she united with Second Baptist Church where she served diligently and faithfully as President and member of the Mothers’ Board. Luvertha never was one to thrust herself into the limelight, but she would always stand humbly in the background or in the shadows of her surroundings working, praying, and doing whatever she was called upon to do for others but especially doing the work of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Throughout many episodes of excruciating pain and feeling poorly, Luvertha continued to attend church in her wheelchair, praising God until one week before her passing.

Once diagnosed with numerous health conditions, Luvertha never gave up. She never complained. She was strong and brave. God was good and faithful to her throughout her illnesses and she was trusting and steadfast with her faith in Him. God brought her through many difficult times. When her family thought it was the end, God said no. But on December 10, God spoke and called her home. She was married to Melvin Owens who preceded her in death in December 2008. She was the oldest of 11 children, four of who predeceased her; a brother Wiley, and three sisters Dorothy, Lola, and Pearlie.

She leaves a legacy of nurturing, humility, love for family and others, compassion, and above all, love for the Lord. Her wisdom and teachings will be forever remembered and cherished by daughters: Melvina Lube, Mattawa, IL; Linda Fair, Sandy (Eddie) Kimbrough, Mobile; sons Lister Keith (Denise) Owens of Memphis,Tennessee; Darnell Owens, Mobile; Eric Owens Dallas, Texas; Eldridge (Augustine), Mobile. Grandchildren: Marcus (Lisette) Montgomery, Oakland, California; Josh Owens, Long Beach, California; Ji Kimbrough, Memphis; Gia (Robert) Johnson, Paultris, Lakede, Frank (Cambry) Fair of Mobile; Great Grandchildren: King, Kobe, Kai of Mobile; and former daughter-in-law, Lorinda Owens of Long Beach. Brothers and sisters: Willie Edward Wilson, Mary Jones, of Brewton, Alabama; Alfred Roy Wilson, Johnny Nettles, Deloris McMillan, and Margaret Mosley, all of Los Angeles, California. Uncle Frank and Aunt Louise Anderson, Mobile; devoted cousins, Larry Foster, Racine and Verdell Rowe, Mobile; and a host of other cousins, nieces and nephews; a devoted, loving, caring, steadfast “godson” and care giver who never wavered in helping her in any way he could, John A. Madsen of Racine; a dedicated and faithful friend, Mary Johnson of Racine, who was considered a dear additional daughter; Betty Brown, who favored Luvertha with her home cooked food during her years in Racine; and special friends, Nancy Case and Daneen Merten.

Private family graveside services will be held at Gethsemane Memorial Gardens 800 Mobile Street Mobile, Alabama on Friday, December 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Robert Ford officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The National Kidney Foundation.

The family would like to thank Drs. Turner and Dhringra for their extraordinary and compassionate care, Manor Care and KTown Drivers of Kenosha, DaVita Harborview of Racine.