Anne Ownbey

By the grace of God and the power of Jesus' blood, Anne Ownbey, 88, left this world behind to be present with Christ on Sunday May 28, 2023.

It will come as no surprise to anyone who knew her, mama left explicit instructions for what to do after she went home. Two of those probably have more wisdom in them than she may have known at the time, or maybe she did: "don’t do anything fancy" and "don't rent a limo, use your own cars." She also warned us to be careful of unsavory folks who use obituaries to scam people. So, to honor that advice, this probably won't go quite the way you are used to.

Mama was born to Bessie and William Shackelford in Charleston S.C. quite a while ago. She was the fourth of four children: Frances, Harvey, and Carey being the older three. They did a pretty good job of spoiling her. After high school, fortunately for us, mama attended Mars Hill College where she met the love of her life Andrew "AC" Ownbey. Daddy predeceased her and we know they are now making up for lost time. We're sure she was also delighted to see her parents and sister waiting for her.

Mama was a great lover of many things throughout her life especially reading, sewing, cooking (Though dad said she never used enough salt.), her job at Montreat College, picnics, walking in the woods, ice cream (She never met a flavor she didn't like.), Possum (He’s really a cat.), writing poetry (She was too unsure of her talent to pursue publication, so we'll brag about her ability now, she'd like that. She was really good at it.) and worrying (She was pretty good at that too.).

As much as she loved those activities, mama loved her church family at First Baptist Church of Black Mountain much more. She enjoyed the fellowship there immensely. We have so many of you to thank for being such good friends to her through the years and for taking such good care of her after daddy died. She was a Deacon, choir member, children's Sunday School teacher, women's Sunday School teacher, food gleaner, and community gardener to name just some of the many ways she served at church.

Immeasurably more than she loved her church brothers and sisters, mama loved her family. Those of you who knew her know what we mean. You are the ones who got cornered by her with stories about and pictures of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. We benefitted from her love in more ways than there is space here to tell. The best we can do is to say what a privilege it is to have been left such a legacy of love as we have been by mama and daddy.

Mama left behind many to remember her fondly. Her children David Ownbey, Mark Ownbey (Jeannie), and Becky Smith (John). Her grandchildren Lena Sorakayala (Abhi), Forest Ownbey (Samantha Barreras, betrothed), Talus Ownbey, and Amanda Ownbey (Matt Timmons, best friend). Her great grandchildren Asha and Azariah Sorakayala. Her brothers Harvey Shackelford (Beth) and Carey Shackelford (Jan). And, too many nieces, nephews and cherished friends to list for fear of accidentally leaving someone out.

We hope you can join us for a remembrance of mama’s life at the First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, NC on Saturday June 3rd. We will receive friends at 2 p.m. and mama’s service will follow at 3 p.m. Mama will be buried with daddy at the Black Mountain Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date. If you can't be there with us, we encourage you to eat a pint of ice cream and remember what mama meant to you when you do. Actually, she would encourage you all to eat some ice cream whether or not you join us.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to mama’s church, First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

We hope by now you can tell we think mama was pretty great. But that didn't get her where she is today (with Christ). Mama’s only hope for that outcome was in putting her faith and hope in Jesus. And, don't you know, Jesus came through!

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.