Our dear mama, JoAnn Avery Owens (Nana), sadly passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023 after a brief illness.  JoAnn was born in Sampson County to Robert Hill Avery and Mary Lee Knowles Avery on September 3, 1945.  She was the baby of three children.  She grew up with loving parents and a wonderful extended family.  She married the love of her life John Marion Owens, in September of 1963 and remained married for 59 years, until John’s (Pa’s) death in December 2022.  

   JoAnn loved reading, listening to music and spending time with family and friends.  Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren always enjoyed the conversations they had with “Nana”.  She had developed a special way of explaining things, a language of her own.  We call it “Nanaisms”. “Nanaisms” will continue to be shared in our family surely bringing a smile and a favorite memory for years to come.  Family and friends were important to JoAnn. She looked forward to keeping close ties with her cousin’s through monthly “Cousin’s day” and was always excited about spending mornings with her friends at Bo Jangles. The staff knew her order by heart.    JoAnn loved her family and loved her Lord.   She was a long time member of Immanuel Baptist Church and was an active member of her woman’s circle group.   Traveling was also a passion for JoAnn especially cruising, she loved being on the go thus earning her the nickname “GoJo”. 

        Her husband John Marion “JM” Owens, her parents Robert Hill Avery and Mary Lee Knowles Avery, her sister Edna Avery Powell, and her nephew Travis Tyndall preceded JoAnn in death.    She is survived by her son, Frankie Owens (wife, Donna Gore Owens), daughter Brook Owens, granddaughter Avery Marlowe Owens-Knowles (husband David Knowles), great grandchildren Piper MacKenna Owens and Zander Grey Owens, brother Bobby Avery (wife Betty) and special nephew Ricky Tyndall.  She also leaves behind many lifelong friends that she loved as family.

  A celebration of JoAnn’s life will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church, Monday February 20, 2023 at 2pm.  Visitation with the family will be at 1pm in the church sanctuary.  Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, in lieu of flowers.  Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens.