Georgia Dale Owens, 78, of Jena, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2020 at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.
She was born Sunday, September 14, 1941 in Trout to the union of her parents, Vira Maebell Beavers Thornton and George Edward Thornton.
Georgia was a bright spirited soul with a heart of gold and love for everyone. She was a devoted Christian that was very much involved in her church. She was an individual who never met a stranger. Her sweet presence and smile will always be cherished and greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know her.
She was a Licensed Practical Nurse and worked in the field of Hospital-Psychiatry. She was a graduate of the Rod Brady Nursing School. She also attended Christ for The Nations, Missionary School in Dallas, Texas.
Ms. Owens was featured in a story appearing in The Jena Times in October last year recognizing her, Joyce Posey and Dr. I. C. Turnley, Jr. as the last remaining survivors who worked at the Jena Hospital in downtown Jena.
Georgia said she was about 21 or 22 when she started at the hospital in 1963 and worked there until 1968 when she was replaced by Posey. The hospital was located at the corner of Second and Elm Street in Jena and closed when LaSalle General Hospital opened in 1970.
Services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 16, at Sanctuary Church in Jena with Dr. Brian Smith and Rev. Heath Harris officiating.
Interment followed in the Belah Cemetery in the Belah Community under direction of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Curtis Owens; son, Kenneth Scott Owens; brother, Edward Thornton; and sister, Opal Marie Anglin.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Tony Owens (Tery); son, Michael Owens (Teresa); sister, Evelyn Windham; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers were Kevin Jones, Tracy Norman, Jim Justiss, Gary Harville, Robert Bradford, and Daryll Davis.
Honorary pallbearers were Hollis Gray, Paul Bradford, and Jack Davis.