Osborne Hyde Owens

Dunn, NC: Mr. Osborne Hyde Owens, 80, of Dunn, formally from Benson, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday 24 February 2017 at his residence.  He was born April 11, 1936, Marshallberg, Carteret County, North Carolina son of the late John Allen Owens and Ruby Gordan Lewis of Beaufort and Marshallberg. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Thelma Owens of Marshallberg, Mary Frances Owens Nelson of Atlantic and Romona Owens Chadwick Smith of Beaufort and Marshallberg..             He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rebecca Smith Owens of Dunn, daughter and son-in-law Carrie Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Owens and Dr. Randy Jones of  Kinston, grandson, Garrett Wade Jones of Kinston and granddaughter,` Colleen Elizabeth Jones of Raleigh, many nieces and nephews.             The family will receive friends at Rose and Graham Funeral Home, Benson Sunday February 26 from 6 PM-8PM.  The funeral will be Monday, February 27 at 11 AM at the Chapel of Rose & Graham Funeral Home with burial to follow at Benson City Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Archie Barringer.             After graduation from Smyrna High School Osborne entered the US Army at the end of the Korean War.  He attended William & Mary College, Norfolk Campus and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Embalming in 1962. He worked in several funeral homes, Ladies in Kannapolis, Wilkerson in Concord, Hankins and Whittington in Charlotte and owned a funeral home in Salisbury and Swan Quarter.  Due to health issues he sold the funeral homes and worked with Rogers and Breece in Fayetteville about fifteen years.             He was a member of Benson American Legion Post 109 and had been extremely active with the Concord Post and member of Forty & Eight.  He was a Life Member of the VFW and served as Commander.  He was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Oasis of Charlotte and had been an active member of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. His biggest joy in life was attending all the NC State Fairs and other shows watching Colleen and Garrett show cattle.  He was so proud of their accomplishments. His other joy was “Driving Miss Becky” in all her genealogical pursuits.             Flowers are welcome; however, memorials can be made to the Johnston County Heritage Center PO Box  2709, Smithfield, NC 27577 or  Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500 Chicago, Illinois 60611. Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson.