Mrs. Ruth Carpenter Owen

Ruth Carpenter Owen, of Scottsboro, Alabama went to her heavenly home on Thursday, January 14, 2021. She showed strength and resilience, even in the face of health challenges and personal adversity in recent years. Ruth was born August 25, 1940 in Denham Springs, Louisiana to Cally Dalton Carpenter and Edna Marie Ourso Carpenter. She was the beloved wife of Philip Ray Owen, Sr. for just shy of 61 years. She and Philip lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before moving to Huntsville, Alabama and then to Preston Island on Lake Guntersville in 1974. They were blessed with three children, six grandchildren, and six great-granddaughters, about whom she proudly boasted whenever possible, and a seventh due in April. Ruth’s family was truly the light of her life. It was rare that she ever missed a school or athletic event for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to travel with her family, especially to Disney World. Due to COVID risks, 2020 was her first year to not visit Disney World at least once in 17 years. She also loved cheering on the LSU Tigers in college football! In her 80 years, Ruth demonstrated her Christian faith through her service and hospitality to others. She welcomed family, friends, and even strangers into her home as often as possible. She loved preparing meals for others, and she was always ready to help anyone in need. Throughout her life, she served her church and community by volunteering in various ways, including organizing school events and directing Vacation Bible School for many years at Grant First Baptist Church. She enjoyed planning class reunions for her friends in the Denham Springs High School Class of 1958. Ruth was fun and energetic, and she had a positive impact on so many lives. She was a remarkable woman, and she will be greatly missed. Ruth is survived by her adoring husband, her daughter, Kathy (Philip) Swofford, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two of her children, Karen (Kenneth) Downs and Phil (Jan) Owen, Jr. Due to COVID concerns, the family will have a private family service, but they plan to host a celebration of Ruth’s life when it can be done safely. Grant Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements, and Bro. Anthony Barnes will conduct the service. She will be buried at Free Home Cemetery in Grant. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the “Karen Owen Downs and Phil Owen Memorial Scholarship Fund” at KDS DAR School, 6077 Main Street, Grant, AL 35747. Donations to the scholarship can also be made through a GoFundMe that the family has set up at gf.me/u/zgchmg. Cards of condolence may be sent to the family at 1868 Preston Island Circle, Scottsboro, AL 35769. “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” – Proverbs 31:28

Mrs. Ruth Carpenter Owen

August 25, 1940 - January 14, 2021