MARIETTA, Ga. – Dorothy (Dot) Blanche Stevens Owens left this world for everlasting life on July 17, 2013 at the home of her daughter in Marietta, GA.

She was the daughter of the late Tolbert and Mattie P. Stevens, born on February 10, 1928 in Johnston, S.C. Mrs. Owens received a B.A. in Library Science and Elementary Education at South Carolina State University and completed post graduate work at South Carolina State University and University of South Carolina. For thirty seven years she worked in the public school systems of Saluda, Batesburg-Leesville and Edgefield counties, of which twenty-four years were devoted to Edgefield County School systems and twenty-six years to Adult Education. After retiring from the school system, Mrs. Owens managed her floral shop. She was a member of the Edgefield County School Board and the South Carolina Retired Educators Association. Additionally, she was a Worthy Matron of Pond’s Chapter 33 of the Order of Eastern Star, a member of the NAACP, Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc, and former President of the Aiken Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Owens was a past member of the advisory board of Senior Citizens of Edgefield County, past member of the Edgefield County Library Board, past Director of ECCAPO, past member of the United Way Board, past member of the Society of American Florists, and organized the first African-American Girl Scout Troop in Johnston, SC in 1968. She was also involved with Voter Registration in Edgefield County.

Ms. Owens was joined in Holy matrimony to the late Thomas C. Owens, Jr., a union that lasted 58 years until his death in 2006. To this union, five children were born. A son, Thomas Calvin (Butch) Owens, III, and a daughter, Linda Faye Cooper, preceded her in death.

Those left to cherish Mrs. Owens’ memories and legacy are two daughters, Jacquelyn (Oscar) Hillman, Marietta, GA; Dr. Brenda (Gregory) Hamlett of Prince William, VA; a son, Darvin L. Owens, Boca Raton, FL, twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.