Gilmore "Jr." Simms Owens

Gilmore Simms Owens, Jr., 73, of Healing Springs, SC tragically passed away Saturday evening on May 16, 2020.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held for “Jr” on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 11:00 am across from his home on Magnolia Lane under the beautiful live Oaks with the Reverends Paul Locke and Chris Campbell officiating. Due to the current pandemic and the CDC regulations, social distancing and other guidelines will be in place. The service will be live-streamed on our Official Folk Funeral Home - Live Stream Facebook page for those unable to attend.

“Jr” Owens loved many things, baseball, hunting, fishing, heavy equipment, but none more than his family and grand kids.  “Jr” would drive all over the state to watch them compete in sports.  He himself was a fiery competitor who always had time to teach his grandchildren how to shoot a “jumper” in a round of “horse”.  There is no greater compliment than to say that his grandchildren were drawn to him.  He would take them hunting, fishing or just ride them around the hunting club while thoroughly entertaining them.  If you were lucky enough to be around him during this time of “entertaining his grandchildren” you would witness an “angel”.  He could be heard whistling or singing an old hymn or maybe a Sam Cooke song from the 50’s.

 “Jr” made time for many things important to him.  He ran a heavy equipment business, Owens Construction, he fished, he hunted. And, he always had time to help a friend in need.  “Jr” helped many friends.  He would do anything for a friend.  It is said that “to be rich in friends is to be poor in Nothing”.  That made “Jr” rich, indeed.

Gilmore Simms Owens, Jr. is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janice Whitehead Owens, his daughter Kimberly O. Boyles and her husband John of Bluffton, SC, Gilmore Simms Owens III “Gil” and his wife Tina of Columbia SC, Mickey Owens his wife Rusty of Blackville SC, and one more that he thought of as his daughter Lizanne Bonnett.  His grandchildren: Clayton and Colton Boyles, Gilmore “Simms” IV and Peyton Owens, Elizabeth, Jeremy and Ava Owens.

“Jr” has two living brothers, Gene Owens and his wife Betty of Blackville, SC and Joe Owens of Orangeburg.  

His sister Ernestine O. “Sis” Harriot and brothers Franklin Owens, Oscar Owens, and Bobby Owens have arrived before him in Heaven.

We take this time to celebrate “Jr” Owens!  He lived life to the fullest!  He was great at everything he did!  He loved Jesus Christ and Loved others with action and good deeds.  We are honored to call him Dad, Grandad, Uncle and friend.  You will be missed beyond belief.  We are comforted with the fact that we will see you again!

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