Ruth Vaughn Ownbey
May 17, 1928 ~ December 25, 2010
Resided in:
Etowah, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Ruth Vaughn Owenby, 82, of Etowah, died Saturday, December 25, 2010 at the Four Seasons Elizabeth House in East Flat Rock.
She was born in Asheville, daughter of the late Gedwin L. Vaughn and Helen Townsend Vaughn. She lived most of her life in Asheville and moved to Etowah, after retirement, with her husband in 1997.
She was a 1945 graduate of Lee Edwards High School and attended Asheville Biltmore College (now UNC-A). She worked for American Enka as an executive secretary for about ten years before going into business for herself teaching ceramics. She later owned and operated a lady�s fashion shop (The House of Jean Marie) on Main Street in Hendersonville for many years. After retiring from the clothing business, she opened a book store (Yesterday�s Thoughts) on Asheville Highway. She was a member of the Hendersonville Merchants Association where she held several offices.
First Baptist Church of Asheville was her church home for most of her life. She was most active in the music ministry and Sunday school.
Ruth is survived by her husband, L. Marvin Ownbey; a son, Vaughn R. Ownbey; a daughter, Jean Marie Cook and her husband, Randy, of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren, Jeanette C. Biffle of Berkley, California and Price Cook, now serving in the Army and a sister, Jean Marie Ibarra of Malibu, California.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of First Baptist Church in Asheville. A reception will follow in the church dining room.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801 or to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
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Marvin and Family, When I looked at the Groce website I was distressed to read about Ruth. We are never ready to lose our loved ones and the only comfort comes from our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of caring friends. Please know we are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers. I will make Jean’s friends in the Class of 43 and those on whom I have email addresses in the Class of 45 aware. Joe and Zunita Clark
Marvin, We heard over the weekend, about Ruth’s passing. You told me, at church, she was not doing well, and I had been thinking about you both, and the very good times we had back in the ’40s, the good old days. I miss Katherine every day, and especially during holidays.
I’m looking forward to seeing you
later, in 2011. Best regards. Walt
Marvin, I am sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing. She was a great lady and my thouthts go out to you.
Charlie
Ruthie,what can I say,,we met one day in passing,you in the little Green Bean,,me in the Orangebyrd,,we said hello by way of CB Radio,from that day on we become Best of Friends,, We did
not see much of each other after
your move from Candler,but not much time went by that You did not cross my mind,and we had our phone chats when you felt up to talking,now I cannot stop the tears,but we had so much laughter,what good times we had,so many memories to cherish,they are forever..
To Marvin and the family words cannot ease your pain,or even begin to tell you how much I loved our Lady Green Bean,,she was the Bean I was the Bird.Can’t forget the Iron Duffer,Keep her in you heart ,I know you will,she loved you very much..Oh what I would give,if I could,to go back to those days..R.I.P my Dear Friend,you do not have to suffer anymore,,Jesus took you home on his Birthday..what a celebration that must of been..Some day this Bird will fly up to join you…
Much Love
Bird
Ruth – there are no words to describe her. She was a breath of spring, and an awesome friend. I was one of the many that had the privilege of doing many of her fashion shows with her when she had the House of Jean Marie. We sure missed her style when she closed the shop. I also helped her find the space for her shop Yesterday’s Thoughts. She was an awesome lady. My heartfelt sympathy goes to each of you. I too,have lost a true friend and inspiration. May God bless you during this time. She will truly be missed. Love, Debbie Reemes Ford
Marvin, Vaughn, and Jean I was sorry to hear about Ruth’s passing. I will never forget our time growing up in Enka Village. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marvin and family.I will miss your loving wife and mother very much she was such a good friend to me .we enjoyed each others company.she was a joy to go visit .You are all in my taught and prayers.i loved that lady
Shirley Thomas
I remember Ruth from her shop on main street, my Mother use to work for her at House of Jean Marie. (Scarlett Doe). She was always so nice to me when I would come by after school. What a beautiful and classy woman. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Dear Marvin, Vaughn, and Jean Marie,
I’m so sorry for your loss of Ruthie. She mentored me at American Enka in Central Engineering while I was still ‘just a kid’. Then I modeled for her at the House of Jean Marie. She provided me with beautiful clothes. I pray for your peace in her passing. We were great friends for many years. I would be happy to help any of you in any way I can.
My deepest sympathy,
Clairene
Jeannie, Marvin and family, I am so sad to know Ruth has passed though I look forward to seeing her again one day. As you know, she was a rey of sunshine in my life when I was young. She also was one of the inspirations for me going on to start my own business. I will forever cherish my memories of laughs, fashion shows and being a part of your family. I love you all and wish I could be with you. Debra Kolendo Wilson
Marvin ,
I believe I met Ruth only one time, probably back in the ‘?50s when I came to work at Enka. So I never knew her very well. I read all the memorials up to now and I know you have lost someone whose loss will leave a great emptiness. I’m glad to know you still have family which is most important at this time. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and I wish for you the best as you go through this new stage in your life.
Tom Corbin
Dear Mr. Ownbey, Jean and family,
My condolences for your loss. She was a great lady; and although I literally spent very little time with you all, I remember you as such a happy family with Ruth laughing and making me feel special and welcomed. I’m sure she did that with everyone. I have thought of her often over the years. I just lost my Mom too,so my heart goes out to you… but we will all be together again someday, thank God.
Marvin,
I just saw the notice of your wife’s passing. I am sorry to hear this and just wanted you to know that. You and your family will be in our prayers as you deal with this loss.
Ron Morrow
Marvin and family,
I was saddened to learn of Ruth’s passing. I last saw her in Hendersonville a few years ago, and we chatted happily for a long while. I knew Ruth and Jean at Lee Edwards High School, and I remember them as very lovely girls.
My condolences to all her family. May God’s comfort and blessings come in abundance in all the days ahead.