Marilyn Owensby

On August 19, 2022, Marilyn Owensby, 84 of Marion, North Carolina went home to meet Jesus and to meet up with her beloved family and friends waiting for her with open arms. On this day, the world became a little less of a special place. Marilyn was born on April 20, 1938, to Mr. & Mrs. Jeter Buchanan. Marilyn was the youngest of 5 siblings.

Born in a one room house in the small rural area of Bandana, NC, Marilyn began life on mountain land, where water was brought in from the spring that ran down the side of the mountain. There was no plumbing, no bathroom, or electricity for lights. The fire was in the stove for cooking and the playground was the pasture and adjacent woods. There was no car, no phones, or any luxuries…only siblings and God’s nature around them. Her mamma canned food, washed clothes in the creek, made all their clothes with a sewing machine, gardened, had babies without hospitals and managed to do all of that with a loving and gentle heart. With this growing quiver, her family moved to East Marion where her father joined Marion Manufacturing Company as a skilled carpenter.

After graduating from high school, Marilyn married and had three daughters. East Marion was a small village with churches and sidewalks and families all living on connected streets lining the mill. It was a simple life that embodied the American spirit of hard work and Christian family values. Back then, there were no locks on your door and there was always time for watermelon, yard hoses for drinking outside and cleaning crappy from Lake James. It was a simple time where Halloween costumes were made from grocery bags and the ‘rides’ coming to town was the best cotton candy ever experienced. Christmas stockings had real fruit and nuts and walking to school was the norm.

Marilyn lived by the Methodist Church and walked her three kids there every Sunday. Marilyn worked many years in Belk’s Department Store and later also worked at Marion Manufacturing. Her talents included sewing, canning vegetables from the garden, gardening, and reading. Marilyn’s life was filled surrounded by those who loved her. She will be remembered for her kindness and gentle heart. No longer will there be her amazing iron skillet fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans picked from the garden for dinner.

The majority of time in Marilyn’s life was filled in doing something for others. Selfless to the core, she often went without, so that others could benefit. She was above all things a daughter of Jesus, and respected her parents and never met a stranger.  She loved her siblings deeply and her daughters were never without her immediate availability.

She was preceded in death by spouse Billy Harold Owensby, her parents, Jeter and Ivey Maude Buchanan, sister, Nina Jones of Shelby, NC, and James Buchanan of Marion, NC.

She is survived by her siblings, Gladys Buchanan, Betty Buchanan and Bill Buchanan of Marion as well as three daughters, Ginger Aldridge of Charlotte, NC, Kay Owensby and Judy Loftis of Marion, NC. Marilyn had 6 grandchildren including Erin Riley, Allyson Felker and Kathryn Riley of Charlotte, NC, Jeffrey Honeycutt, Kenny Owensby and Thomas Owensby of Marion, NC. Great grandchildren include Keiara Honeycutt, Arthur and Amelia Owensby of Marion and one sweet unborn great grandchild on the way.

Arrangements are in the care of Beam Funeral Services. The family has provided a website at Beam Funeral Services for all who wish to send online condolences. A graveside service will be held at McDowell Memorial Park on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

The family would like to say an amazing thanks to Hospice and the wonderful staff who navigated the family through this transition to Heaven stage of life for Marilyn. Donations to Hospice are always appreciated.

Please click the link below for a video tribute of Marilyn's life.

https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=3E6A358AEDE99477!1161&ithint=file%2cpptx&authkey=!AHJ9kaKBM_prtXY