Brenda Terry Owens

Unconditional love. It is something we all hope to receive, yet rarely give. Brenda Terry Owens was the epitome of unconditional love. Regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation, she loved you with her whole heart. Her smile and her immeasurable empathy extended far beyond what this tiny mountain woman could have ever imagined.

Brenda Terry Owens was born to Arley and Geraldine Terry on August 22, 1945, in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. The middle of five children, Brenda lived a childhood of farming, laughter, and family. She had a deep love for her childhood home in Meadows of Dan, recounting cherished memories of fried apple pies, quilting, and music. After graduating from Meadows of Dan High School in 1963, she attended Draughon Business School in Winston-Salem, where she earned her degree with highest honors in keypunch and office machines. Later, she worked at a telephone company as a long-distance operator. In Winston-Salem, she lived in a boarding house where the girls lived upstairs and the boys lived downstairs. One boarder mentioned his cousin in the Air Force whom he wanted to introduce to her. Jerry Owens stepped into her life in January of 1964, and they never parted until her passing sixty-two years later. Undoubtedly…true love.

Once settled in Mount Airy, Brenda and Jerry raised their two children, Shannon and Shelli, in what the children often refer to as a golden childhood. Brenda worked tirelessly at Proctor Silex, Pine State, York Oil, Amerigas, and Northern Hospital until her retirement. Upon retirement, she spent her days tending to and educating her only grandchild, Nevan Owens. He will always be her greatest joy. As a mother and grandmother, Brenda met each challenge with a smile and a quiet introspection that humbled those around her.

Brenda's church family began at Lambsburg Baptist and later moved to Fellowship Baptist of Mt. Airy. She took such care to love each of her Sunday school sisters. Little cards of affirmation and support are what the women of Lambsburg and Fellowship will remember most. Brenda was a devout Christian woman and the ultimate prayer warrior. Even after her paralysis, she knew she could still support her brothers and sisters in this world through prayer. It was ceaseless.

Brenda Owens passed away peacefully on the morning of June 17th, 2026, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home of Dobson. Her family was by her side until the end. During the last two years of in-home care, she and the family came to cherish her nurses and countless aides from Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. A very special friend, Betty Willard, also helped support and care for Brenda in her final years. All who came into contact with Brenda immediately felt the love and joy that emanated from this tiny woman, and all were changed by her.

Brenda was preceded in death by both her parents and a sister, Janice Harmon. She is survived by her husband, Jerry; children Shannon and Shelli; grandson Nevan; sisters Jackie (Nash) Lawson and Aleta Elvin; and a brother, Sheldon (Marie) Terry.

As you walk through this world, Brenda would want you to remember that it merely takes a smile, a nod, or a note to truly…quietly…shift the very nature of someone's life. Unconditional love. It is what we all hope to feel. Brenda Terry Owens was everything unconditional love was meant to be.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home of Dobson PO Box 325, Dobson, NC 27030. The family is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday June 21, 2026, at 2:00pm at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Airy with Pastor Drake Phillips and Dr. Jonathan Casstevens officiating. The family will receive friends at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday from 1:00 – 2:00pm. A private committal service will be held at Skyline Memory Gardens.

Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.