Essie Lee (Owens) Dobbins

Funeral Service for Mrs. Essie L. Owens Dobbins, 82 of Decatur will be noon Saturday at Wheeler Chapel Church with Bishop Thomas Davis Jr., officiating. Inhumation will follow in Owens Cemetery. The body will lie in repose one hour prior to service.Public viewing will be Friday from 1:00PM until 5:00PM at Reynolds Funeral Home.

Essie Owens Dobbins was born to the  late Luther Owens Sr. and Pearl Ella Owens Smith on June 20, 1942 in Lawrence County, AL. She departed her earthly life on February 13, 2025 at Decatur Morgan Hospital.

Essie confessed hope in Christ at an early age and joined Wheeler Chapel Church in Courtland Al.  She relocated to Miami, FL  in 1981 and joined Coopers Temple Church of God in Christ. Essie was employed in Miami with the State of Florida.  

Upon retirement from the State of Florida, Essie moved back to Alabama where she rejoined Wheeler Chapel Church and continued her ministry until her health would not have her in service.  

Essie was a woman of faith who prioritized God above anything else. She was a devoted missionary and servant of the  Lord. On any given day and at any moment you could witness Essie dancing, singing praises and proclaiming God’s word. She truly lived a life of no compromise and was bold in her walk with Christ. 

Essie was preceded in death by siblings: Alfonzo Owens Sr., Sadie Latimer, Ida Pearl Robinson, Luther Owens Jr., Sallie West, Mary Gibson and Gloria Young.

Essie leaves behind to cherish her memory: two lovely daughters, Sheria Bourne (Christopher), Veronica (Rossi) Hudson (Michael); her one and only grandson. Raymone (Mookie) Hall; siblings, Mattie Benson of Hillsboro, AL,  Annie Brown of Fayetteville, NC, Joe Owens (Mary Ann) of Hillsboro, AL, Clara Grayson (Cedric) of Decatur AL, Sandra Wright (Kent) of Hillsboro, AL; two sisters-in-law.  Irene Owens of Hillsboro, AL. Cynthia Owens of Chattanooga, TN; one brother-in-law, Billy Ray Young of Hillsboro; special friends, Mary Johnson, Burldean Davis and  Elois Garth; special cousin. Cordelia Young; caregivers, Bonnie Young, Clara Grayson, Felicia Lyle and Joyce Williams and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

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