January 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The Tennessee General Assembly has paid tribute to a well-known longtime minister who passed away in October.
The joint resolution honoring the late Donald Owens of Lebanon, a longtime pastor of Dry Creek Baptist Church, was sponsored by Senator Mark Pody of Wilson County and adopted 33-0 in the State Senate. The resolution was co-sponsored in the State House by Representatives Clark Boyd, Pat Marsh, and John Ray Clemmons with the House adopting it on an 87-0 vote.
The resolution reads as follows:
“A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Brother Donald Owens of Lebanon.
WHEREAS the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Brother Donald Owens;
and WHEREAS, Brother Owens was an exemplary public servant and consummate professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities;
and WHEREAS, born Ray Donald Owen on March 30, 1933, in Smithville, Brother Owens was the son of Willie and Ethel Ballinger Owen; he attended elementary school in DeKalb County and his first two years of high school at Harrison Chilhowee Baptist Academy, ultimately graduating from DeKalb County High School in 1951 before attending Middle Tennessee State University;
and WHEREAS, Donald Owens was saved at the age of nine and answered the call to preach at the age of thirteen; he was ordained to the gospel ministry on October 4, 1947, and had been in the pastorate since the age of eighteen;
and WHEREAS, Brother Donald Owens served many churches throughout his pastoral career, including Green Hill Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Bradley’s Creek Baptist Church in Milton, Rutledge Falls Baptist Church in Tullahoma, and Shellsford Baptist Church in McMinnville;
and WHEREAS, he led Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon as pastor from 1963 to 2000, and at the time of his passing, he was the pastor of Dry Creek Baptist Church in Dowelltown, where he had served since 2001;
and WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, and he always endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order;
and WHEREAS, Brother Donald Owens will be sadly mourned yet fondly remembered by his children, David (Mary) Owens, Terry (Nancy) Owens, and Krisa (Jason) Bush; grandchildren, Joel (Erin) Owens, Evan (Megan) Owens, Grant Owens, Callie (Ethan) Farley, Jake Bush, and Jordan Bush; great-grandchildren, Colbie Owens, Murphy Jane Nave, Rhett Owens, Mack Owens, and Maeve Farley; and sister, Georgia Hawker;
and WHEREAS, in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-nine years, Audrey Parker Owens; grandson, Destry Nave; sister, Carlyne Dickey; and brother, Edwin Owen;
and WHEREAS, Donald Owens leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen endeavors;
and WHEREAS, it is fitting that we should remember the bountiful life of this exceptional gentleman and human being;
now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Brother Donald Owens, reflecting fondly upon his impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage and conviction. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we extend our condolences to the family of Brother Owens”.