Beverly Ann Caldwell Owenby, 72, of Murphy, passed away peacefully at her home Monday evening, Dec. 17, 2018, with her family by her side.
She was born and raised in Murphy, and moved to the Atlanta area and raised her family there. She recently moved back to the mountains of North Carolina to enjoy retirement with the love of her life, Jerry Allen Owenby.
She leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories and a grateful family.
Ann graduated from Murphy High School and Young Harris College and also attended Georgia State University. She managed the U.S. Government Printing Office in downtown Atlanta for 31 years and retired in 2002.
Ann was always up for an adventure, with anyone, anywhere. She loved to travel with her family and friends, and made many memories that we all treasure.
She was the coolest mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She was the one everyone looked forward to seeing at family get-togethers, and she was usually the one that organized it all. She was the fun one, full of life, and took great pleasure in trying to embarrass us at every opportunity. She loved her family fiercely and unconditionally.
Ann enjoyed any genre of music ... as long as it was good music ... and could dance with the best of them. She loved having her loved ones close and dedicated her life to family. She was an excellent cook and loved making Sunday dinner. She was accepting to everyone she met.
Ann was born in Providence Hospital in Murphy. She was the daughter of the late Louise Mauney Dehart and stepfather Vinson Dehart.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jerry Allen Owenby of Murphy. She is also survived by four children, Tim Hughes and wife Tina of Murphy, Laurie Penn of Newnan, Ga., Carrie Guthrie and husband Brandon of Brooks, Ga., and Jennifer Metcalfe and husband Ward of Peachtree City, Ga. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, Nathan Hughes, Tia McKeon, Chase Penn, Jake Scott, Waits Guthrie, and Caraline and Gabriel Metcalfe. She also had five great-grandchildren, Natalie, Kaylee and Nash Hughes, Lincoln McKeon and Landon Penn. She is also survived by a brother, Russell Caldwell of Rockwall, Texas, and sister, Karen Wayman of Murphy; numerous nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, Vicky Taylor.
Ann was a member of Ramah Baptist Church of Palmetto, Ga. She loved the Lord and looked to Him in times of trouble for herself and for others. She was a former member of Murphy First Baptist Church in Murphy and attended services there after she moved back to the mountains.
Funeral services will be held at Murphy First Baptist Church on Thursday, Dec. 20. Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. at the church. The service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. Graveside services will be at Friendship Baptist Church No. 2 Cemetery. The Revs. Jimmy Tanner and Aud Brown will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Ward Metcalfe, Brandon Guthrie, Nathan Hughes, Stuart Wayman, Keith Zimmerman and Levi Zimmerman. Honorary pallbearers will be Hoyt Zimmerman, Jackie Wayman, Kenneth Lance, Jack Hedden, Wayne Wells and Lewis Voyles.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friendship Baptist Church No. 2 Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 1, Culberson, NC 28903; or the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28215.
You may send tributes to the Owenby family at www.townson-rose.com.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.