Lera Marie (McDowell) Owens

ARCHDALE – Lera McDowell Owens, 90, entered into Heaven Portals on Friday, April 3, 2020, at her home.

She was born on February 18, 1930 to the last Alfred and Mamie McDowell. She was a faithful member and served as Sunday school teacher and choir director for over 50 years at Mt. Olive Wesleyan Church in Sophia.  She also served as a faithful member and Sunday school teacher while living in Hampton, Virginia, from 1948-1960 at Parkview Church of God in Newport News before moving back to North Carolina. She worked many years at High Point Face Veneers before retiring to spend with her beloved husband, Elmer.

She married the love of her life on December 21, 1946; they were married for 58 years until his death in 2005. She was blessed with three children, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She loved her family and enjoyed being around them and was known as a great cook and everyone always enjoyed her 7-layer Hershey Bar Cakes.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Owens; daughter, Anna Marie Owens; son-in -law, Isaac Farlow; sisters, Dorothy M. McDonald, Eloise M. Reid, Magelene M. Cook, Irene M. Parks, and Betty M. Davis; and brothers, George McDowell, Riley McDowell, and Garland McDowell.

Surviving are children, Vickie Owens Farlow of Sophia, and Steven Owens (Carolyn) of Colorado; grandchildren, Jeffrey Farlow (Marie) of Sophia, Catherine C. Ritch (Michael) of Asheboro, Tonya Ferguson of Randleman, William Owens of California, Steven Viola, Rosie Kralnje (Marco Polini), and Abbey Dellwo all of Colorado; great-grandchildren, Monte Paul Coggins III , Zachary Coggins (Emily), Ashley Farlow, Seth Ferguson, Macy Ferguson, Victoria Coggins, Amber Farlow, Dalton Ferguson, Ian Coggins, Abigail Farlow, Tessa Ferguson, and Naih Polini; and great-great-grandson, Garrison Isaac Farlow.

She also has three surviving siblings, Martha McDowell Shives (Harold) of High Point, Terry McDowell (Margie) of High Point and Julius McDowell of Trinity; special sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” O. McDowell; and many nieces and nephews.

Due to the COVID-19, a private graveside service will be held Monday at Mt. Olive Wesleyan Church Cemetery with Pastor Wayne Bryd officiating.

The family requests no flowers and asks that memorials in her honor be sent to Mt. Olive Wesleyan Church, 3920 Mt. Olive Church Road, Sophia, NC.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Lera Marie (McDowell) Owens, please visit our Tree Store.