Bert Lee Owen

Bert Lee Owen, 90 years old, was born November 12, 1923 in D’Lo, Mississippi. She died at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport on Thursday, September 4, 2014, with her loving family and friends ever present at her side. Growing up in Gulfport during the Great Depression, she fondly remembers her love of sports and participated in all of these including track, basketball and tennis. She and her sister Mary Ann were on the relay team at Gulfport High when they set the high school record that lasted over thirty years in the 440 and 880 relays. As a child she recalled that she never owned a bicycle, but remembers a garage full of them in later years. During World War II she worked for the Red Cross, married her husband George, and during their marriage had three children, Bobby, Janie and Johnny. Known for her sense of humor with a ready laugh, she was always there to support her family, friends and community. She had a special interest in one particular football family, The Mannings, and was a loyal supporter of all their achievements on and off the football field. She also remained an avid fan of many sports besides football which included women’s college basketball and the Little League World Series. She loved to play games, especially Rumicube with her sister, daughter and nieces with an intense sense of family competition. Her great love of her friends brought them together everyday for an afternoon of cards. She was known by her loved ones as Granny Bert. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert Lee and Mildred Beasley Roberts along with her loving husband of 46 years, George Owen, her sister, Mary Ann Spear and son-in-law Nick Roberts. Bert is survived by her sons, Robert M. Owen, wife Gene, John Owen, wife Deborah and daughter Jane Owen Roberts. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dennis Owen, Ty Owen, Angelique Girouard, Ashlei Hawkins and her husband Charlie, Rachel Owen and Nathaniel Owen; great grandchildren, Taylor, Caleb, Samantha, Kayleigh, Brady and Gracie; nieces and nephews, especially Becky and Jeannie. Her best friend, Phyllis, is considered as family as well as her caregiver, Jo. The family wants to give special thanks to the Staff at Memorial Hospital Gulfport, fourth floor for the loving support they shared with Bert and her loved ones. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at 1:00 P.M. with a Memorial Service to follow at 2:00 P.M. at BRADFORD-O’KEEFE FUNERAL HOME, 15th Street, Gulfport. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or The Salvation Army, 2019 22nd St., Gulfport, MS 39501, or one’s favorite charity. View and sign the register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com