Imogene Fearnow Owens

Imogene Fearnow Owens – Kingston, Tennessee; Imogene passed away in her sleep at her home on Monday evening, August 8th, 2016 of natural causes. She was 88 years old. Born in 1928 near Rogersville Tennessee, Imogene attended Berea College in Kentucky before moving to Oak Ridge in 1946 to work at Tennessee Eastman (Y-12). Later she worked at the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant as a laboratory technician and statistician. It was there she met the love of her life, Lee; and in 1950 they were married at Chapel on the Hill in Oak Ridge. They both enjoyed a lifelong passion for camping, fishing and hunting; Imogene was every bit as proficient as her husband and to Lee’s never ending chagrin, Imogene has the family record for catching the largest fish, a 76 pounder while deep sea fishing in Florida. In 1962, Imogene and Lee purchased land near Kingston and operated a beef cattle farm. The farm, animals, a large garden and endless flowers kept her very busy. She reaped a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction from these activities. Lee died 1983, but she continued her life on the farm enjoying walking and managing the property with a grace and dignity that amazed her friends and family. She even contributed the land for her two sons’ business, JR Global Manufacturing on Gallaher Road. Later, she became involved with several civic groups, most recently Young at Heart, and the FCE, helping to provide college scholarships for deserving Roane State students. Imogene was preceded in death by her husband Leon Alfred Owens, her mother Laura Mae Smith Fearnow, father Howard Elbert Fearnow, siblings Edward Cleo Fearnow, Lois Pauline Fearnow and Dale Fearnow, half brothers Howard Troy Fearnow and Albert James Fearnow, and Nephew Ronnie Fearnow. Survivors include sons Richard Alan Owens and Vikki Yoder, James Thomas (Jim) Owens and Staci Votaw, grandsons Austin Jergen Owens and Julia Lindsey, Stuart James Owens and Ashley Carter, granddaughter Paige Cashwell, niece Judy and husband, Gene Breeden, Pat Fearnow and a host of friends and neighbors. The family would like to especially thank Heather Goodman McDonough, Amber Vickers, Joan Beier and Staci Votaw for their assistance and dedication in caring for our mother. Receiving of friends scheduled for Thursday, August 11, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston, with service to follow. Austin Owens officiating. Interment on Friday, August 12, at 11 am at Kingston Memorial Gardens.

Imogene Fearnow Owens

January 13, 1928 - August 8, 2016