Thad O. Owens Sr., 93, resident of Brookhaven, died Feb. 25, 2013, at King’s Daughters Medical Center, Brookhaven. He was born July 6, 1919, in the Stronghope Community in Copiah County.

He was the son of Charlie Lewis Owens and Salema Mae Tillman Owens. When he was six years old, the family moved to the Carlisle Community in Claiborne County. After several years, the family returned to Copiah County and continued to live there until they moved to the Heuck’s Retreat Community.

Mr. Owens accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at Smyrna Baptist Church in Copiah County, and in 1934 moved his church letter to Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church. He attended school at Heuck’s Retreat School.

He entered the United States Army on Feb. 27, 1941, at Camp Shelby, and served four years and seven months in the South Pacific. On Dec. 20, 1942, he married Hilda May Smith, who was his sweetheart for 52 years. They built a home in the Heuck’s Retreat community and God blessed them with five children who they taught the love of God, love of family and the importance of hard work. Hilda May went home to be with her Lord on Feb. 27, 1995. On May 6, 1996, Mr. Owens married Ruth Smith Oliver.

Mr. Owens was employed as manager of the Ford Tractor Company where he worked for 30 years. He later worked as a salesman for Brookhaven Equipment Company and worked there for 17 years until his retirement. He was a good salesman and always tried to use the Golden Rule with his customers.

Mr. Owens served on the Board of Directors for Farm Bureau for approximately 30 years and was a member of the Brookhaven Exchange Club for many years, where he served a term as president. He served as a trustee on the Heuck’s Retreat School board and was a member of the Adult Men’s Sunday School Class at Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church.

Mr. Owens was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Hilda May Owens; his brothers, T. C. Owens and Percy Owens; his sisters, Thelma Kees and Nannie Mae Flowers; and a daughter-in-law, Linda LeJeune Owens.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Smith Owens; brother, Hal Ray Owens; his sisters, Vivian Humphries and Maxie Overbey; his children, Thad O. Owens, Jr. (Pat), Ginny Owens, Charles R. Owens (Millie), Thomas E. Owens (Jackie), Rosemary Bishop (Tillmon); and two stepchildren, Jason Thomas Oliver (Sarah) and Carrene Oliver Scafidel (Blake). Mr. Owens was blessed with nine grandchildren, Nan Allen, Tad Owens (Brandi), Chuck Owens (Courtney), Allison Wallace (Blake), Amy Owens Mullins (Jeff), Jennifer Owens Bell (Adam), Matthew Bishop (Kristen), Michael Bishop (Tonya) and Anna Bishop.

He was also survived by eight step-grandchildren, Jason, Emily, Adrian, Micah, and Avery Scafidel, Abby and Joshua Oliver, Gina Greer Jones (Greg) and Jennifer Greer Thornton (Stan); 17 great-grandchildren, Noah and Josh Allen; Tate and CamiLynn Owens; Trace, Turner and Trent Owens; Tucker, Katharine, Piker and John Patrick Wallace; Adalyn and Aden Bell; Taylor and Drew Mullins; Abigail and Parker Bishop; and four step-great-grandchildren, Lauren and Doug Habig and Anna Katharine and Jacob Grant Thornton.

His legacy he leaves to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is his good name. God’s word says: “A good name is rather to be chosen that great riches, and loving favor rather that silver and gold.” Prov. 22:1

Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 5 until 9 p.m. at Brookhaven Funeral Home, Natchez drive location. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, with burial to follow at Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church Cemetery.