James Bland Owens

James married Alice Marie Belvin on February 16, 1974 in Gloucester County, Va. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Obituary is from the Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory (Hayes, Va.) website, posted November 8, 2022: James Bland Owens, age 68 of Hayes, was called home unexpectedly by God on Friday, November 4, 2022. He was born on June 21, 1954, to Woodrow "Bill" Wilson and Janice Estelle Coates Owens of Achilles, Gloucester County. He was named after a prominent Gloucester lawyer, James Bland Martin. Growing up in his early childhood he enjoyed riding go-carts with his older brother Linwood and racing them in the field across from their home. He attended Gloucester High School. He worked with his dad and brother Linwood in the James and Rappahannock Rivers oystering. In 1978 he went to work for the Maritime Administration with the US Department of Transportation at the James River Rescue Fleet, as a tug boat Captain. He retired in June 2016 with 38 years of service. James was employed at the time of his death with Gloucester County School as a car driver, taking children to and from school. He loved the water, gardening, camping, and his family and was proud to be a true "Guineaman" and loved the Smoky Mountains and building computers. He was a dedicated fan of the New York Yankees and Washington Redskins, and loved NASCAR. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church of Ordinary, a member of the Abingdon Ruritan Club for 28 years, and enjoyed cooking oysters for the festival. James was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Barbara Jean Thompson of Fayetteville, NC, Shirley Mae Sterling, and Betsy Jane Jenkins of Gloucester. His survivors include his wife of 48 years, Alice Belvin Owens, son Jamie Lee Owens of Gloucester, daughter Elizabeth Owens Spivey (Mike) of Chesapeake, and grandchildren Blake, Logan, Raegan, and Devyn. His grandchildren were the joy of his life. Brother Linwood W. Owens (Joan) of Gloucester along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive him. The family will receive friends at Hogg Funeral Home on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Funeral service to be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Providence Baptist Church at 11:00 am officiated by Pastor Tom Gaskins. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In James' memory, memorial contributions may be made to The American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023. Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.