Barbara Emilie Owens

Barbara Emilie Owens was born November 26,1946 in Miami, OK to Clifford J. and Anna Mae (Willson) Stoner and went to heaven on June 7,2023. Barbara passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends after a long, six year battle with dementia.

Barbara was a 1965 graduate of Miami High School where she was an honor student, Miamiette, and Cheerleader. She received her Associates Degree in Education from NEO where she was an Honor Student, Cheerleader and Norsestar. She was later inducted into the Miami High School Hall of Fame and also the NEO Hall of Fame.

ln the summer of 1,967, Barb married the love of her life, Steve Owens and moved to be with him to finish out his football career at the University of Oklahoma. After Steve won the Heisman Trophy in 1969 and was drafted by the Detroit Lions, they adopted their beloved Steven Blake Owens in December, 1971. In 1975, Barbara gave birth to their son, Michael Joseph Owens while still in Detroit. Ln 1976, Steve finished his football career and they moved back to Norman, the place they still call their home and would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this month.

Barbara was a member of the First Baptist Church of Norman. She centered her life around God, family and friends and anyone that knew Barbara knew she LOVED being with her kids and grandkids. Barb was a great wife, a loving mother and a best friend. She also was a great cook and loved cooking meals for her family. She had a love for music, loved to dance and was the life of the party. Right up until she went to Heaven, she would dance every week during Music time in the Activities Room at her Memory Care Facility. She was definitely one-of-a-kind and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

After Blake's death, Barbara was committed to helping those with mental illness and became an Advocate for building and the support of Thunderbird clubhouse in Norman.

Survivors include her husband of the home, Steve Owens; son, Mike Owens and wife Lindsay of Norman, OK, grandchildren, Quincy, Austin, Madden, and Campbell. One sister, Janie Helton of Miami, OK, one brother; Cliff Stoner, Jr. of Norman, OK, Brother and Sister-in-Law, Tinker and Terri Owens of Norman, OK; Don & Patsy Hoover of Ft. Wayne, lN; and Larry and Debbie Owens of Noble, OK; Sister-in-Law, Della Miller of Miami, OK; and Brothers-in-Law Dale Owens and Jimbo Owens of Miami, OK, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Bonnie Jo Newman, and her beloved Steven Blake.

Celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 23rd, 2023 in the First Baptist Church at 211 W. Comanche Street, Norman, OK 73069 with Dr. Wade Smith officiating.

ln lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Thunderbird Clubhouse, P.O. Box 1666, Norman, OK 73070 or to First Baptist Church, 211W Comanche, Norman, OK 73069.

A special thank you to Shaye Donica and the Staff at Reminisce for their loving and compassionate care, TenderCare Hospice Staff, Dr. Wade Smith, and Gary Parks.