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Mrs. Deborah Jo Graham Owens, 67, of Galivants Ferry, SC met the Lord Monday, December 17, 2018 at home after a brave three year battle with pancreatic cancer. Mrs. Owens was born June 15, 1951 in Mullins, SC. She was the daughter of the late Juanita Hope Wolfe Graham and the late Hollis DuPree Graham. She was the granddaughter of maternal grandparents Goldie Faye Clark Wolfe and Jacob "Jake" Wolfe of Redfield, IA. She was the granddaughter of paternal grandparents Julia Hattie Shelley Graham and William David Graham of Galivants Ferry, SC. She was again blessed to have mother-in-law Ora Myrtle Horne Owens and father-in-law John Alexander Owens as part of her family. Mrs. Owens was married to Joseph Terry Owens, a kind and giving soul, on August 15, 1969. She was the proud mother of daughters Kelly Marie Owens Frye (Thomas Michael Frye) and Sally Ann Owens Poston (James Michael Poston), and the grandmother of three beautiful granddaughters Miss Michael DuPree Frye, Miss Alexandra Hope Frye, and Miss Graham Hollis Poston. Mrs. Owens grew up with two loving sisters Constance Ann Graham and Susan Marie Graham Finch. She also dearly loved her niece Beverly Jo Finch, nephew Dillon Cabel Finch (Cari King), and great-niece Elizabeth Madison Finch. Dear to her heart was a special sister and brother who were a part of her entire family since birth, Mrs. Llewlyn Gore Graham and Mr. Boyce "Tom" Graham. Mrs. Owens was blessed to have wonderful, loving caregivers Petrina Buffkin Edwards, Angie Ray Hilburn, Nethra Vereen Godbolt, Shirley Hemingway, Sheila Rush, Loretta Spivey, and Jarrod Jones. She also cherished a special neighbor and friend, Dolly Martin. Mrs. Owens, as a child, lived on a dirt road in a four room house, worked on the farm with her family, and cherished her rich family life and very humble beginnings. God, family, and teaching meant everything to her. Her childhood dream was to teach school. After graduating from Aynor High School in 1969, Mrs. Owens attended Coastal Carolina College and received an Associates of Arts Degree in 1971 and attended Francis Marion College and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1973. In 1975, Mrs. Owens received a Master's Degree in Education/Reading from the University of South Carolina and in 1990 received an Education Specialist Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Owens began her teaching career in 1973 and taught for Horry County Schools at Kingston Elementary School, Horry Elementary School, and Aynor Elementary School and retired in 2001. During her teaching career she was voted Teacher of the Year five different years by her peers. She also received the Golden Apple Award from Wellman Industries and WBTW Eyewitness News. She served on the School Improvement Council for Horry Elementary School and Aynor Elementary School. Mrs. Owens was a dedicated professional that dearly loved her profession, students, and fellow teachers her entire life. She was a member of Aynor United Methodist Church and the Horry County Historical Society. Funeral services for Mrs. Deborah G. Owens will be private with burial at Aynor Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Aynor Volunteer Rescue Squad. Please sign the online guest register at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel, is serving the family.

Tributes

Deborah Graham Owens

June 15, 1951 - December 17, 2018