Michelle Lynn Owens

Michelle Lynn Owens, 62, of Ramona, entered into eternal life at her home Saturday, November 25, 2023. Michelle was born May 12, 1961, in Bartlesville, the daughter of Charles Robert and Patricia Anne (Tecza) Neal. She began her education at St. John’s Catholic School and Wilson Elementary School. She completed her education in the Caney Valley School system where she graduated in 1979. After high school Michelle began a career at Cities Service/Citgo where she continued to be employed for 13 years until returned to school to get a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Langston University. After graduation she found her true passion advocating for children for many years at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Youth and Family Services of Washington County and the Oklahoma National Resource Center for Youth Services. Throughout her professional life in social work, she changed countless lives for the better. Many times, bringing children to family gatherings over the holidays who did not have a place to go. Michelle met Ed Owens, whose birthday was opposite hers and whose middle name was her maiden name, probably a sign from the universe, and they united in marriage on September 12, 1987. They made a home in Ramona where they raised their children. Most recently Michelle and Ed have enjoyed raising their grandson Mayson and are proud of his academic success. From a young age she had a passion for music. She enjoyed live music, attending concerts, festivals and had a special affinity for Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. She especially loved the Red Dirt music scene, making many friends in that community who shared her love for music. Ed occasionally went along, but as he said, “He couldn’t keep up”. She was always dancing along to music and sometimes to a beat only she could hear. She was a Jesus Christ Superstar enthusiast seeing the rock opera hundreds of times, yes hundreds, collecting memorabilia and even had a tattoo of the album cover. Her love of music was rivalled only by her wanderlust as she set out to explore many wonderful places throughout her life. Traveling like a gypsy at a moments notice with anyone willing to accompany her and sometimes on her own when she got the urge to go. She recently encouraged Ed to travel to Colorado with their grandson Mayson for one last beautiful adventure. She also loved photography of people, places and things and enjoyed sharing photos with all she knew, as she felt like she was taking everyone along. She always wanted everyone to feel included. She enjoyed her family and friends immensely and was always up for an impromptu gathering and a good time. She lived much of her life with passion, whimsy and wild abandon for the things she loved. She was a helping hippy and was kind to everyone and her mission in life was advocating for underrepresented people. She just had a look about her that made people say, “Hey, Lady, can you please help me?” and she happily obliged when opportunities presented themselves. She shined a little bit and had an amazing intuition about people and their needs. She was a friend to all, living out her guiding principles of love and peace through service to others. After successful treatment for an extended illness at the Mayo Clinic, Michelle had recently come back to her Catholic faith and been confirmed in the Catholic Church. She and Ed had also just been remarried in the Catholic Church. Most of all, Michelle was loved so very much by her family and friends, and they will miss the fullness she brought to their lives. Michelle is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Ed; her parents, Charles and Pat Neal; children, Tasha Gray and Gregory Gray; grandchildren, Hayden Byard and Mayson Willman; and siblings, Cassie & Craig Cozby and Tony & Louella Neal. As well as a large loving extended family and her dog tribe. In lieu of flowers Michelle would want you to donate to Youth and Family Services of Washington County, the Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota, grab a handful of angels, off any Angel Tree for the holidays, simply do a random act of kindness, flash a smile and a peace sign to someone you don’t know, sing loud to your favorite song with the windows down and the music up, support live music, travel with those you love to your favorite destination or dance like no one is watching to honor her memory. Visitation will be held Sunday, December 3rd from noon to 6 p.m., the family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and rosary will be said at 7 p.m., at the Davis Family Funeral Home and Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 918-333-7665, 4201 Nowata Rd., Bartlesville. Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church, 1007 N. 19th, Collinsville where everyone is welcome. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home and Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Michelle Lynn Owens

May 12, 1961 - November 25, 2023