Judy Owen

After a brief illness, Judy Brandon Owen, of Danville, VA, passed away at home on March 25, 2019 surrounded by her two sons and sister. While Judy's almost 68 years on earth were much too short, the impact she had on those who were fortunate enough to know her was immense. She was born in South Boston, VA, on March 27, 1951 to Mrs. Lucille Hughes Brandon and the late Mr. Elwood Owen Brandon. She was a graduate of Halifax County High School, The College of William and Mary (BA in Education) and The University of Virginia (Masters in Administration).    Her forty-four year career in education began in Halifax County at Turbeville Elementary School (15 yrs), followed by eighteen years in Danville, first at Glenwood Elementary (9 yrs) and then at Taylor Elementary (9 yrs).  After thirty three years teaching in Virginia, she began a new chapter of her career, teaching in Eden, NC at Central Elementary for 11 years.  Her passion for children and teaching was obvious to all who knew her.  In addition to teaching hundreds of children to read over her career, she took a special interest in their lives, attending countless events outside of school so they would know how important they were to her.  She touched the lives of her peers just as greatly as the students she taught. She mentored many young teachers over the years and considered all those she ever taught with as part of her family.   Anyone that knew Judy knew about her love of Winnie the Pooh.  Pooh books and stuffed animals were featured prominently in her classroom over the years and these words from Pooh offer comfort to those she left behind -  “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” (A. A. Milne) She was an avid fan and supporter of GW High School Sports.  When her boys played football at GW, she became active with the Football Fan Club and remained active for years after they graduated.  She continued to attend games through this past fall cheering on a new generation of boys that she had come to care about.  She also actively supported the Soccer and Wrestling teams at GW of which her boys were members. She was a long time member of North Main Baptist Church in Danville.  While she went out of her way to help others during her entire life, in recent years she was particularly devoted to over seeing the care of her cousin, Mr. George (Roby) Foster Jr. and her friend, Doris Keesee.  She had a huge heart and willingly gave of herself to everyone she met.  Judy was married to the late Randall Owen of South Boston, VA and leaves behind two beloved sons, Brandon Owen (Jamie) of Chatham, Va and Trevor Owen (Krystal Odell) of McLeansville, NC, a step-daughter, Tracey Tate (Maurice) of Mooresville, NC, her mother, Lucille Brandon of South Boston, VA, a brother, John Brandon (Gretchen) of Chapel Hill, NC,  a sister, Jane Revak (Tom) of Raleigh, NC, a step-granddaughter, Kristin Rutherford (Warren) of Lexington, NC and two grandsons, Wesley and Carson Owen, who were the light of "Nana's" life.  She leaves behind many other beloved family members. The family would like to thank their family, friends and Commonwealth Hospice especially her nurse Erin Shields. Family and friends will be received at Townes Funeral Home, on Saturday, March 30 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm with a Memorial service immediately following the visitation.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Truth House/Cross Roads Reconciliation (crossroadsreconcilliationservices.org) or the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association (www.danpittcancer.org).