MARION OWENS

Marion De Lisle Owens was born on Thursday, August 11, 1932 in Wardell, Missouri. He grew up on a
farm with his family. He attended Wardell public schools, graduating in 1950 as Valedictorian. He
attended Freed-Hardeman College where he graduated in 1952, also as Valedictorian. Next, he
attended Harding College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree and later a Master’s Degree graduating with High
Honors.
Marion always wanted to be a teacher, and began teaching in his hometown, moving after one year to
Illinois where he taught for six years. Moving to Lancaster, CA in 1961, Marion taught in the Antelope
Valley High School District where he finished his teaching career. He taught his last class as a public
school teacher in 2004.
Marion’s first love has always been teaching the Bible. He has taught countless classes through the
years. He specialized in preparing teaching materials to help others teach. After his cancer diagnosis, he
set up a website (marionowens.com) on which he posted a wide variety of teaching materials, hoping to
help others for years to come.
In 1963, Marion married a young widow, Tommie (Hair) Green, who had a seven year old daughter,
Dawn. To this union, his son David was born in 1964, and Linda in 1969.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents, John R and Carmen Owens, a brother, Jack Owens, a
sister, Ruth Ringold, and a granddaughter, Allison Webb.
Marion passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2019. He was surrounded by his family and died
peacefully with words of love being spoken to him up to the last minute. He is survived by his beloved
wife of over 56 years, Tommie as well as his children, Dawn Malson (Darrel) of Durham, OK, David
Owens (Jackie) of Lancaster, CA, and Linda Webb (Scott) of Ventura, CA. He is also survived by four
grandchildren. Alecia Malson, Warren Malson, Logan Webb, and Katharine Owens. He also has two
great-grandchildren, Trevor Malson and Isabella Malson. Marion is also survived by his brother Laddie
Owens of Dyersburg, TN as well as a host of wonderful friends beyond counting.
Marion was an original member of the Antelope Valley Church which began in 1982 with ten people in
the Owens family living room.
Funeral arrangements are being seen to by Halley-Olson-Murphy Funeral Home in Lancaster, CA with
interment at Lancaster Cemetery.
A viewing will be held at Halley-Olsen-Murphy Funeral Home located at 44831 N. Cedar Avenue in
Lancaster on Friday, September 27 th from 5-8 p.m. 5-6 p.m. will be for family only and 6-8 p.m. for
friends and well-wishers.
The funeral service will be held at Antelope Valley Church (AV Reach) located at 3830 West Avenue L-8,
Lancaster, CA 93536 at 10 a.m., with a brief graveside service at Lancaster Cemetery immediately
following. A reception for all will be held at the church building immediately following the graveside
service.
For those wishing to, donations in Marion’s name may be made to Ally’s House charity through
allyshouse.org in lieu of flowers, though all expressions of love are welcome. Ally’s House was founded
in honor of Marion’s granddaughter Allison “Ally” Webb who passed away from childhood cancer.