RUTH MCCLANAHAN OWENS, 79 years of age of the Slate Creek section of Grundy, Virginia, passed away Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Mayfair Retirement Home at Claypool Hill, Virginia following an extended illness.  Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Glen and Sarah Jane Elswick McClanahan.  She was a member of the Bee Branch Old Regular Baptist Church and was a loving mother, grandmother and Great-grandmother.  She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Owens on November 20, 1997. 

She is survived by her daughter: Clara Jane and her husband Randy Ratliff of Grundy, VA, Four Sons: Andrew Owens, Charlottesville, VA, Douglas Wayne and his wife Gloria Jean Owens, Gastonia, NC, Donald Gene and his wife Fonnie Owens, Abingdon, VA, Roger and his wife Lucille Owens, Rosedale, VA, Two Sisters: Eula McClanahan Fields and her husband Paul Crouse, Abingdon, VA, Mary Charlene and her husband Les Baker, Cincinnati, OH, Four Brothers: Arville and his wife Ellen McClanahan, Columbus, OH, Hassell and his wife Mary McClanahan, Crete, IL, Harold McClanahan, Johnstown, OH, George and his wife Evelyn McClanahan, Columbus, OH

She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 7 Great-Grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by Four Brothers – Alvie, Roy, Kirby and Robert McClanahan; Two sisters – Beulah McClanahan and Ruby Davis; and one Sister-in-law – Nora Lee McClanahan..

Funeral services for RUTH MCCLANAHAN OWENS will be conducted Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Elders Roger Coleman, and Howard Daniels officiating with burial to follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, VA.  Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home after 6:00 P.M. Monday with services at 7:00 P.M. with Roscoe Crouse and Landon Whited officiating.

Active Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Deacons of the Bee Branch Old Regular Baptist Church.

Special thanks to Dr. Willis and Staff, Dr. Mitchell, Dr. H. Patel, Dr. J. N. Patel, Russell County Hospice Staff,  Mayfair Retirement Staff, Diane Hale, Diane Hall and Landon Whited.

Friends may call anytime at the home of Roger & Lucille Owens, 373 McFarlane Lane, Rosedale, Virginia.

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.