Jessie Owens
Jessica Rene “Jessie” Owens was born Sept. 4, 2005, in Holyoke, the second-born daughter of Randy and Joan (Thornton) Owens. Jessie died and leveled up from earth life after a vehicle accident on March 21, 2022.
She took the great commission to heart from what seemed like day one — “to make a difference, make an impact, and change lives” was her calling. Her dad, Randy, sums it up as “she was always busy,” and sister Rebecca jokingly says “it made me the easy one.”
Jessie found making friends simple because she was always there to lend a hand. She was the popular babysitter loved both by parents and their children who waited anxiously for her to arrive.
Her love of animals was unmatched, and she was Grandpa Jerry’s righthand girl with the cattle, eventually growing her own herd where every momma and her calf had a special name and received lots of hands-on affection starting at birth. She raised pigs, making sure they had what they needed, whether it was the ration Mom recommended or not. The family dog, Cruz, was her special friend, always happy for her to come home and post his picture on social media.
She was an active 4-H’er and FFA member. In 4-H she stayed busy showing pigs, cattle and sheep, baking and leathercraft. She served her club as treasurer and vice president. She was on the county 4-H council and held the office of treasurer there as well. She was known for her baking and quest in perfecting recipes, spending time in the kitchen with Mom and Grandma Ann.
In FFA she served on the Executive Committee and competed on the Vet Science team. Welding and woodworking were her favorite FFA activities that allowed her plenty of time with Dad, especially when building their highly sought-after Adirondack chairs.
Sticking with the “stay busy” theme and following in the footsteps of sister Becca and Grandpa Gordon, she played softball (right field) and was manager of the baseball team. She played basketball in junior high and was preparing for the upcoming track season. With Grandma Sandi, she enjoyed crafting and making creations for the residents of the nursing home. Jessie was a member of First Christian Church of Holyoke and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Bob and Beulah Owens and Paul and Esther Thornton; uncle, Larry Batman; and cousin, John Thornton.
She is survived by her parents, Randy and Joan; sister, Rebecca Owens and Kyle; great-grandmother, Lucille Theis; grandparents, Jerry and Sandi Owens and Gordon and Ann Thornton; six loved aunts and uncles; and 15 cousins.
The funeral service was held March 26 at Phillips County Event Center, with interment at Holyoke Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.