Joan Mabry Owen

April 22, 1933 - May 15, 2020

GARDEN CITY BEACH, SC—Joan Mabry Owen, 87, of Garden City Beach, SC, passed away Friday, May 15, 2020, at Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Murrells Inlet, SC. Born Frances Joan Mabry on April 22, 1933, in Gaffney SC, she was the eldest child of Amos Lee and Frances Cornelia Cooksey Mabry. Joan graduated from Harding High School, Charlotte, NC. She spent her high school summers at The Pad at Ocean Drive, Spivey’s at Cherry Grove, and other dance spots in North Myrtle Beach, SC. She became an accomplished shagger and, in 1984, was inducted into the Beach Shaggers National Hall of Fame. She was always proud to visit her Hall of Fame star on the sidewalk of North Myrtle Beach. She was also a member of the Living Legends Association of OD/Grand Strand. In addition to her parents, Joan was predeceased by her husband, Donald Alfred Owen, and stepdaughter, Donette Owen. She is survived by: two daughters, Laura Ferguson (Eric) of Lake Norman, NC, and Lisa Sellers (Jim) of Murrells Inlet, SC; three grandsons, Trey Sellers, Devon Ferguson, and Taylor Sellers; two stepdaughters, Judy Schneider of Peachtree City, GA, and Joy Perry (Paul) of Conway, SC; four step-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren. Joan also leaves a sister, Linda Moore (Chuck) of Old Fort, NC, and a brother, Al Mabry of Garden City Beach, SC. Additionally, she leaves her “adopted” daughter, Cathy Byrnside of Surfside Beach, SC, and her fur baby, Sassy. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Tidelands Waccamaw Hospital and Tidelands Health Rehabilitation in Murrells Inlet, SC and the caregivers of Amedisys Hospice. A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Joan’s memory be made to The Sanctuary Piano Fund, c/o Belin Memorial UMC (POB 528, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576) or the Hall of Fame Foundation (www.halloffamefoundation.org or POB 4070, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597).