Deacon Charles Owens Jr.

“I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Deacon Charles N. Owens, Jr., born September 7, 1961, in Ashland Kentucky to Charles N Owens, Sr. and the late Cornella D. Claytor Owens. Soon after, the Owens family moved and continued to reside in Columbus, Ohio where Charles Jr., at an early age gave his life to Christ.

He attended Columbus Public schools and graduated from South High School. He loved to play sports and accepted a football scholarship to the Tennessee State University (TSU) in Nashville, Tennessee in 1979 where he earned his nickname “Papa Tiger” or “Papa T”. Being both an avid sports and music lover, he divided his time at TSU earning a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, playing football, singing with the TSU Minstrel Singers and as a percussionist for the TSU Aristocrat of Bands. He continued to foster his love for music as a drummer throughout his life for Love Zion and Serenity Baptist Churches.

“Charlie” was as an outgoing kid and his enthusiasm for people continued throughout his life. Charles loved imparting his wisdom with others – especially children. He also had a love for law enforcement and trained and worked with the State of Ohio Highway Patrol, Circleville Juvenile Correctional and TICO under the Department of Youth Services until he retired in 2003. After retirement from the State of Ohio, he began to use his natural charms in Sales in men’s fashion and furniture. Keeping a focus on his family’s well-being, he remained in sales with Morris Furniture until his Father called him home.

With his charming, charismatic, loving and outgoing personality, he met his college sweetheart, LaNita Hooks, and serenaded her on the piano with his own rendition of the song “Ribbon in the Sky”. They later married on December 8, 1984 and were blessed with three beautiful daughters.
Charles and his family joined Love Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Jesse L. Wood and worked out his soul salvation for the Lord, singing in the men’s chorus and later ordained as a deacon. He later joined Serenity Baptist Church and was later ordained to become the one and only deacon at Serenity Baptist Church.
He’s preceded in death by his mother, Cornella D. Owens; uncle, George Claytor; aunt, Maxine Merritt; sister-n-law, Crystal Hooks Henry; first cousins, Mose and Stacy Dickerson.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, LaNita Hooks Owens; daughters, Shemitra (Elvin) Goode, Shavondra and Sher-Lisa Owens, Tea Blackmon; two grandsons, Micah and Malik Owens; grand-daughter, Le’Honesty Blackmon (all from Columbus, OH); Father, Charles (Wanda) Owens, Sr.; sister, Stephanie Henry (all of Columbus, OH), Vickey (Daryl) Miller; aunts, Constance Cannon (Huntington, WV) Connie (Mose) Dickerson (Montgomery, AL), Doris Taul, Patricia Woods; uncle, Robert Owens (all of Columbus, OH), goddaughters, Amber Bass (Atlanta, GA), De’Azia Glanton (Orlando FL); nieces, Courtney Henry, Jasmine Walls (Columbus, OH), Veneitra (Dustin) Smith (Birmingham, AL); nephews, Cornell (Keira) Owens, (Atlanta, GA), Christian Hooks, Cortez (Jenae) Henry, (Columbus, OH); a host of countless cousins, relatives and friends.

Evening Visitation Friday, June 14, 2019 at 6:00pm-8:00pm at Serenity Baptist Church 1402 Smith Rd. and Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Visitation 9am Funeral 10am Smyrna Baptist Church 1650 Wilson Ave.

Interment Glen Rest Cemetery

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