Helen Thomas Owen

Helen Thomas Owen of Florence, SC passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Central United Methodist Church. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Church Commons Area. Interment will be private at Mount Hope Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Born in Clarendon County, Helen was the daughter of John Spurgeon Thomas and Thelma Broadway Thomas Furse. She graduated from McLeod School of Nursing in 1952 where she met her husband Jimmy. They were married in Sumter, SC on December 15, 1951. Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be remembered for her devotion to her family. She loved gardening, birdwatching, having big family gatherings, and traveling with her husband. Her family will miss her affection, lively personality, and quick wit. Helen is lovingly remembered by her children-Rosalyn Swan, Marvin Owen (Beth Ann), Kathy Gatlin (Ward), and Mary Beth Clanton (Robby); nine grandchildren- Chris Owen, Courtney Landry (Jacob), Kristen Hardaway (William), Claire Adams (Nathan), Mary Kathryn Hulme (Ryan), Frances Keefer (Ben), Thomas Clanton (Kayla), Anna Champion (Taylor), and Rosi Clanton; twelve great-grandchildren- Jack, Cora, Luke, and Timothy Landry, Billy, Owen, and James Hardaway, Ava and Lollis Hulme, Graham and Margaret Keefer, and Sylvia Ann Adams; her sister- Billie Bradham. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Dr. James C. Owen, her parents, and two brothers-John and Dargan Thomas. The family would like to express their gratitude to Millest Thomas for her love and care of Helen and also for their father Jimmy. Her kindness and devotion to the family will not be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the McLeod Foundation Butterfly Fund benefitting McLeod Hospice and Palliative Care patients -PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502 or online at mcleodhealth.org/foundation. Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.