Courtland – Lawrence Eugene "Lonnie" Owens, Jr. of Courtland, Va. passed away April 17, 2009 at the age of 71 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he was the only child of Lawrence Eugene Owens and Alice Mikell Owens Smith. He was married to Sally Coles Heyward for fifty years. Lonnie was a graduate of Columbia High School, Clemson University, and served in the Army and Reserves. He retired as Manager of Coastal AgroBusiness, Inc. in Courtland, Va. where he formed many special friendships with customers and co-workers. An avid outdoorsman, Lonnie was also a member of the Indiantown Hunt Club in Capron, Va.
As a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend Lonnie is survived by his wife, Sally Heyward Owens; son, Buford Smith "Bo" Owens and wife, Sylvia, with grandchildren, Kevin and Megan; son, Roger Heyward and wife, Ranae, with grandson, Walker; son, Lawrence Eugene; and son, Barnwell Rhett and wife, Julia, with grandchildren, Mitchell, Coles, and Nate; all of Courtland, Va.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Monday in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home with William Hart Gillette officiating. A private burial will be held by the Nottoway River at Riverside Cemetery in Courtland, Va. The family will receive friends at the home of Rhett and Julia Owens at 22390 Main Street in Courtland, Va. at 7 pm on Sunday and suggests in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Southampton Academy, 26495 Old Plank Rd. Courtland, Va. 23837 or the American Cancer Society, c/o Ms. Kathy Worrell 717 Fairview Dr. Franklin, Va. 23851.