Mae Frances Owens

Mae Frances Macon Owens was born to Alberta Bullock Macon and Gilbert Macon on April 9, 1942, in the Griffithtown Community. In Mae Frances’ early childhood, she played with her siblings and neighborhood kids. This community was one big village full of love, where all the children lived as one big family. She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. Mae Frances attended school at Piney Grove A.M.E. Church.

On November 11, 1964, she united in holy matrimony with the love of her life, Fred Douglas Owens. To this union seven children were born, and 49 years of love were shared until his passing on December 30, 2013. She was a faithful member of New Hope Church Of God In Christ in Dalark, Arkansas under the leadership of Elder G. C. & Annie Nolen where she served as a Deaconess and Usher until her health failed. She then attended Greater Tate Temple Church Of God In Christ in Arkadelphia when her health allowed. 

Mae Frances was a homemaker and always made time for hobbies like fishing, cooking, hanging out with old and new friends, and loving on her children, nieces, and nephews. She was well respected in her community and was known as the “Candy Lady.” She provided anyone with sweets, and cold drinks on scorching summer days. Mae Frances always found new ways to stay busy, whether it was listening and singing gospel or watching her favorite TV programs, executing dinner between commercials, and studying the word of God.

Mae Frances passed away from this life on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Bryant, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Fred Douglas Owens; brothers, Bobby Joe Macon, Albert Macon, Leon Macon; brother-in-law, Roosevelt Owens, Sr.,   Jessie Owens, Hezekiah Owens. J. W. Owens sisters-in-law, Exie B. Williams, Pauline Owens, Dessie Mae Owens, & Rosie Owens, a grandson, Patrick Owens and one great-granddaughter, Miracle Block. Mae Frances had a powerful way of helping people and embracing others, gifting them to embrace their flaws because she accepted and knew who she was. She made it easy to love her and in return to love yourself all the more. 

Her pure loving legacy is now left to her 8 children Odessa (Terrence) Matlock of Arkadelphia, AR; Freddie Mae (Wesley) Butler of Arkadelphia, AR; Flora Mae (Austin) Reed of Bryant, AR; Fred Lewis (Meredith) Owens of Arkadelphia, AR; Frederick L. (Shelane) Owens of Camden, AR; William L. Owens of Arkadelphia, AR; Curley Henderson of Sparkman, AR; bonus son, Johnny Smith of Gurdon, AR; 32 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild; 1 sister, Louise Jones of Griffithtown; sister-in-laws, Ruth Macon, Mattie Redman, Eloise Perry; brothers-in-law, Roy (Blanchie) Williams, Sonny (Cynthia) Owens; best friends & cousins, Clinton Campbell, Marie Reed, Marcella Johnson, Gwen Smith, Mary Summerville, Beatrice Tidwell, Ellie McClure, Lacy White, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.

Public visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024, and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A celebration of her life will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Greater Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with Supt. LeRoy Williams, officiant and Supt. Robert Davis, eulogist. The interment will be at Piney Grove Cemetery in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Jerome Macon, Charles Owens, Kevin Williams, Gale Jones, Jr., Kenneth Jones, and Bobby Campbell will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Justin Reed, Christopher Reed, Kenneth Lewis, Jr., Gabe Owens, Jordan Owens, Kevin Lewis, Justin Johnson, Justin Owens, and Derick Owens. Granddaughters will serve as floral escorts.