[Nfbv-announce] The passing of Stuart N. Owen of Charlottesville

[Mark W. Roane]

Fellow Federationists,
I am sorry to have to report to you the passing of our long time friend and fellow federationist Stuart Owen.

Stuart N. Owen, 75, of Charlottesville, died Friday, November 11, 2011 in a local nursing facility. 
Born in Powhatan, VA on October 4, 1936, he was the son of the late Garland A. and Mary Hall Owen. 
He was a born again Christian and a member of Grace Baptist Church. He received part of his education in Powhatan and completed his education at the Virginia
School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton, VA. He was employed as a vending stand operator at the local post office in Charlottesville for a time and was
employed at the Virginia Industries for the Blind in Charlottesville for 46 years. He operated a commercial computerized sewing machine. He lost his remaining
sight on October 27, 1967. In 1990 he received an award for the Blind Worker of the Year for the state of Virginia. He and Kathy were joined in marriage
on October 11, 1975. Stuart was a personal friend of Governor George Allen. He was President of the Blue Ridge Federation of the Blind for 18 years. Stuart
loved music. He ministered in local nursing homes and churches, playing his guitar and singing. He made a recording in 1971. His favorite music was southern
gospel, blue grass, and country. When he was younger he sang with various bands in the community. Stuart loved working with woodwork, doing small plumbing
jobs, and gardening. He loved to fix things. Stuart had a wonderful personality and a great sense of humor. He loved people and loved to help everyone.
He could talk about most any subject. He was a very independent traveler. He was loved by his family and his many friends. 
He is survived by his wife Katherine C. "Kathy" Owen; two sisters, Dorothy Jackson and her husband McKeever of Midlothian and Grace Woolard of Richmond;
a sister-in-law, Brenda Miller and her husband Jerry of Radford; and numerous nieces and nephews. 
A funeral service will be conducted 11 A.M. Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Grace Baptist Church with Pastor Johnny Hartless officiating. Interment will
follow at 2 P.M at the Emmanuel Episcopal Churchyard in Powhatan, VA. 
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 P.M. Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Teague Funeral Home, 2260 Ivy Road Charlottesville, VA  22903. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Grace Baptist Church, 3764 Pritchett Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or to the Blue Ridge Federation
for the Blind, c/o Mrs. Gwen Beavers, 905 Elliott Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22902.