Estelle Owens, 98, passed away peacefully at home in St Marys, GA on Thursday October 26, 2023. She was born In Pawtucket, Rhode Island on June 3, 1925, to Henri Parent and Cordelia Valiquette, the youngest of 4 children.

Growing up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island she attended a French Catholic School, graduating from the 9th grade, which was the highest education for a young lady at the time. After graduating she went to work in a factory to support the WW2 effort. In early 1943, while eating at a diner with a girlfriend, she met her future husband, Roy Owens, who was stationed nearby with the Navy. They Married on September 11, 1943, after which they set up housekeeping in Pawtucket. They were blessed with their first two children, Donna and Terrence before being transferred to North Carolina.

In 1951 she moved to Jacksonville, FL following her husband where he was station at Mayport. In 1954 she gave birth to her third child Thomas. She was a very strong lady who raised her three children and ran the house mostly on her own as her husband was out to sea or stationed at different bases during his service.

She had a love of music that started as a young child, taking piano lessons from an aunt that lived upstairs from them. She had a beautiful singing voice that she shared with family and church. Every Sunday after church, the family would come home, have lunch and then she would spend 2 -3 hours playing the piano. Always at the request of her husband she would play "Old Oaken Bucket" and all its variations. She instilled a love of music into the whole family. She would spend countless hours playing the piano and singing for her grandchildren, even after she started having trouble playing due to arthritis. She would comment on the mistakes because of this, but to her grandchildren she played beautifully and perfectly.

Being a creative person, she was blessed with many different hobbies which she enjoyed sharing with her family and friends. When her children were young, she knitted outfits for them. Later she transitioned from knitting to crocheting, which she enjoyed more. Leaving her family with a wealth of blankets and afghans that are highly treasured. She also enjoyed crewel embroidery and counted cross stich. However, the hobby she enjoyed the most was ceramics. She owned several molds and her husband Roy bought her a kiln to make it easier for her to enjoy her craft. Her family and friends were gifted with several of her creations. She loved being able to paint different pictures and learning new techniques to create these gifts.

She was a strong and humble lady, who showed grace to all she came across. She was raised Catholic, but after moving to Jacksonville, changed to Methodist. Her faith was strong and saw her through some of the hardest times in her life. She was quick to smile and always had a hug and kiss on the cheek. And the softest lap for her grandchildren and then great grandchildren to snuggle into and feel loved and safe. Her love for God came first, then her family, then how God ordered things after. She instilled this into her family.

For a small lady she has left big shoes to fill. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roy Thomas Owens Jr. and her two sons Terrence Michael Owens and Thomas David Owens.

She is survived by her daughter Donna Cornellier of St Marys, GA; 7 grandchildren Kennard Shingleton of Jacksonville, Fl; Joseph Shingleton (Vickie) of St Marys, GA; Orman Shingleton Jr. (Julie) of Altomonte Springs, FL; John Shingleton (Dina) of St Marys, GA; Ryan Owens of Nashville, TN; Keli Sanderson (Gary) of Kennesaw. GA; and Reese Owens of Chicago, IL; and 7 great grandchildren Juan Plenge, Tallahassee, FL; Sara Shingleton of Brunswick, GA; Stephen Shingleton of St Marys, GA; Amando Armmaturo of Altomonte Springs, FL; Nicholas Shingleton of St Marys, GA; Kayla Schrimsher of Kennesaw, GA; and Tyler Schrimsher of Kennesaw, GA.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM  at Arlington Park Funeral Home, located at 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 32211. The funeral will follow at 1:30 PM, with Father Scott Looker and Father David Paysinger officiating.  Estelle's final resting place will be in Arlington Park Cemetery.