Shelly Theodrith Owens, Age 85, departed this life on Monday, January 3, 2022. He was born in Lexington, North Carolina to John Curtis Owens and Lillie Payne Owens on February 21,1936. He was educated at Dunbar High School in Lexington where he was on the basketball team and played trumpet in the school band. During his younger years in North Carolina, he developed a passion for golf, working as a caddy in the summers and later in life playing in many leagues, tournaments and with numerous golf buddies.

After high school, he joined the United States Army, serving in Germany from 1955 to 1958 and honorably discharged in 1963. He played trumpet in the military band, traveling throughout Europe. He felt one of his greatest accomplishments in Germany was not only serving his country but providing presents and support for children in the orphanages during the Christmas holidays. Upon his return to the United States, he worked in occupational therapy for mental health patients in Rockland County, NY and Monmouth County, NJ. He additionally worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier, moving up to a corporate position in NYC based Northeast Postal Transportation Division. To spend more time with his wife and daughters, he decided to work closer to home as a computer analyst at Fort Monmouth in NJ and the Telos Corporation before completely retiring in 2003.

Shelly was a former, long-time member of the Red Bank Men's Club, the Fort Monmouth Officers' Club, a Freemason and a member of the Boyfriends/Girlfriends organization with his late wife Maxine. He was a proud, dedicated and impactful member of the Long Branch Board of Education for many years. He also served as a member of the Y2K task force in Washington, DC. He attended St. Thomas Episcopal Church and St. James Episcopal Church in New Jersey but in recent years, he attended Ezekiel A.M.E. Zion Church and Union Baptist Church in Lexington, North Carolina.

Shelly was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Julia, Ruth, Lillian, Florence, John, William "Bill," Calvin; his daughter, Monique Portia Owens; his wife of 54 years, Maxine Granderson Owens, and in November 2021, his nephew, who was like a brother, Charles "Peewee" Holt.

Shelly will be remembered for his love of family and friends, caring nature, generosity and dedication to serving his community. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Yvette Owens; two granddaughters, Rebecca and Ashley Owens; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral service will be Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 10:00am in the Craven~Powell Chapel of Roberts Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park. Public viewing will be Friday from 1-7pm and the family will receive friends from 5-7pm Friday at the funeral home.


The service will be streamed live at www.facebook.com/Roberts-Funeral-Service-