Rev. Leo Owens

Homegoing Service for the Reverend Leo Owens, 89 of Hillsboro, AL. will be noon Monday, March 24, 2025 at Westside M.B. Church with the Reverend Edward Owens, eulogizing and the Reverend Keenan Nichols officiating. Inhumation will follow Owens Cemetery. The body will lie in repose one hour prior to service. Public viewing will be Sunday from noon until 3:00PM at Reynolds Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00PM until 5:30PM at Westside M.B. Church.  The service will be live streamed on the following Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15psCpTna1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Reverend Leo Owens was born October 30, 1935, in Hillsboro, Alabama, to the late John Bobby and Ora Cranfield Owens. He made Home his peaceful transition on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Decatur Morgan Hospital-Decatur Campus surrounded by his family.

Reverend Owens began his Christian journey at an early age joining the Decatur, Alabama Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church in Courtland, Alabama. He later moved his membership to Westside Missionary Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon. It was at Westside under the leadership of Reverend J.I. McGahee that he accepted his call to preach. Later, he went on to pastor his first church, Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Valhermoso Spring, Alabama. In 1967, he was later called to pastor Bethel Colbert Missionary Baptist Church, Leighton, Alabama. He pastored Bethel for 50 years before retiring from pastoring in 2017. He continued to preach the Gospel until prevented by health issues. During his active years as a pastor, Reverend Owens served as Moderator of the Muscle Shoals Missionary Baptist Association. And he was an active member of both the State and National Baptist Conventions.

Reverend Owens received his formal education from Tennessee Valley High School and Calhoun Community College, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Selma University in 1982.

Reverend Owens’ vocational career included various positions; however he spent the majority of his work life at Monsanto Chemical Company. After over 30 years, he retired from Monsanto and devoted his time to pastoring. In April 1958, he married the love of his life Ella Mae “Betty” Brown and together they raised six children. Betty was a devoted wife and mother, who worked tirelessly to support her husband. She played a huge part in the success of his ministry. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage until she was called home to be with the Lord in April 2019.

Reverend Owens is also preceded in death by his parents; six brothers: James Jones, Levolia Hobbs, Joseph Owens, Thomas Owens, Oscar Owens, and Willie Owens; three sisters, Johnny Mae Hill, MadgeWatkins, and Salley Massey; and one grandson, Jeremy Owens.

He is survived by six children: Arthur Scales, Jr., Murphy (Crystal)Brown, Cassandra (Marvin) Rogers, Edward (Claudette) Owens, Dwight(Benita) Owens, and Glenda Owens; seventeen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Reverend John Bobby Owens, Jr; one sister, Mrs. Lillie Mae Robinson; two sisters-in-law, Betty Owens and Lucille Owens; a very special friend, Mrs. Rossie Noble; and a host of loving and committed nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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