Mary E. Owens

Mary E. Owens, 99, of Parsons, passed away at 4:09 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2019, at the Labette Health Emergency Room in Parsons.

On April 29, 1920, Maryetta Elaine Conger was born to Louis and Georgeanna (Johnson) Conger in Parsons, Kansas. Mary grew up in Parsons and attended the Douglass School and Parsons High School.

Mary worked in various factories in Parsons, including Swifts. She also worked as a Nurse's Aide at the former Mercy Hospital and at Good Samaritan Nursing Home.

Known by many names, Granny, Nanny, Grandmother, and Mom, Mary loved and was loved by family, friends and strangers. When the original Globetrotters visited Parsons, they stopped by a tavern on 22 ^nd Street where Mary was helping a friend. After finding out they were hungry, Mary invited them to her home for a fried chicken lunch. Upon arriving home from school, her children were amazed to find the Globetrotters and enjoyed getting to meet the entertainers. Another beautiful example of Mary's hospitality was the time she cared for people in an accident in front of her home by providing sandwiches, water and blankets to those involved. Mary did not know a stranger and her caring and love were for all.

She was a member of the Watson Memorial Church of God in Christ, where she served as a Sunday School Church Mother. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Mary and her daughter, Dorothy, spent many summers making trips through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to make sure the grandkids were able to see one another and connect with family. Other hobbies she enjoyed were sewing and fishing.

Survivors Include:

Two sons – Robert "Bobby" Owens and his wife, Brenda, of Temple, Texas

Clyde McGlory, Jr., and his wife, Mary, of Temple, Texas

Two daughters – Shirley Nelson of Parsons, Kansas

Dorothy Gross and her husband, Charles, of Parsons, Kansas

Thirty Grandchildren

Numerous Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren

She was preceded in death by three sons, Ricky, George, and Cicero Owens; one grandson, Steven Owens; her parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Watson Memorial Church of God in Christ in Parsons. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The Visitation will be 6 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 27 at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to defray expenses. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.