Mrs. Viola Whately Owens

March 15, 1923 - July 3, 2015

Mrs. Viola Whatley Owens was “called to eternal glory in Christ” on July 3, 2015. She was born to the late Robert R. and Ruby Turner Whatley on March 15,1923 in Camden, Alabama. She was preceded in death her husband, Herbert (Troye) Owens, Sr. The Whatley family migrated to Wayland, KY in the mid to late 1920’s and eventually moved to Pikeville, Ky. She attended school both in Wayland and Pikeville. She accepted Christ and joined church at an early age in Wayland, KY. She joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Pikeville, KY, where she served as a Trustee until she moved to Lexington. According to her sister, Clara Pearson, when Viola was young, she had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She was often called upon to render solos or lead selections in church and in school. She united with Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member of the Forty Year Christians and Pastor’s Aid Auxiliary. Viola was self-employed and was also employed by Citizens Bank of Pikeville. She retired in 1987. Viola was imbued with an abundant amount of joy in her heart and a zeal to live for Christ. She was blessed by God with a great personality. She loved people and actively exhibited that love towards many people that she encountered. She never met a stranger. She always greeted people with her contagious smile, positive demeanor, and warm hugs. She endeavored always to love everybody. Pastor Peoples honored her with the title, “Miss Congeniality.” Viola dearly loved her husband, children, and grandchildren; and cherished being the matriarch of the family. She was “kindly affectionate, ” especially to babies and a multitude of children throughout her life. She always encouraged them to obey their parents and to do well in school. Miss Congeniality leaves to cherish her memory, three children, Rosemary Owens of Lexington, Kentucky, Shelia O. (William L.) Bland of Versailles, Kentucky, Rev. Herbert T. (Janice) Owens, Jr of Lexington, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Keisha K. Owens of Louisville, Kentucky, Mychal Bland of Atlanta, Georgia, Derek Bland of Lexington, Kentucky, Herbert Troye (Fanny) Owens, III of Arras, France; one great granddaughter, Sorene LePadellac Owens of Arras, France; two siblings, John Wesley Whatley of Cleveland, Ohio, Clara Mae Pearson of Kansas City, Missouri and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.