Gloria Leach Owen's Obituary
Vernon Parish native and community matriarch Gloria Leach Owen entered her eternal rest and went home to be with the Lord on the 25th of August after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Owen was a life-long resident of Vernon Parish. She was born in Slagle on June 30, 1925. The second daughter of Claude and Lucille Leach, she spent her entire life in Vernon Parish. Gloria attended and was a 1942 graduate of Leesville High School, where she was an active member of the Wampus Cat Marching Band.
After high school, Mrs. Owen attended Port Arthur Business College, in Port Arthur, Texas where she received credentials in business and office management. During her early years she was very active in civic and youth activities, including Rainbow Girls where she mentored three generations of young girls in Leesville.
In 1955, Gloria married Chester Creighton Owen, also of Leesville. The two operated The Style Center ladies ready-to-wear store for 42 year and were pillars of the local community. Together, they were active in the Leesville civic community as members of Association of the United States Army, Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce and various other organizations.
Most prominently Mrs. Owen served as chairman of The Leesville Women's Commission. During her tenure as Chair, she spearheaded the Clean City drive and was instrumental in Leesville being selected as Cleanest City in the State of Louisiana in 2001.
Mrs. Owen was a born again Christian and was an active and life-long member of the First United Methodist and Grace Southern Methodist Churches of Leesville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Creighton Owen and her parents Claude and Lucille Leach.
She is survived by her dear siblings, whom she loved, cared for greatly and prayed for earnestly: Sister Mixon Lee Brabham and her husband Paul of Richardson, TX. Sister Martha Sanderson and husband Ralph of Tampa FL. Brother and former US Congressman Claude Leach and his wife Laura of Lake Charles LA. Sister Frances Watson and husband Robert of Montgomery TX. Sister and former Johnson Space Center Director Dr. Carolyn Huntoon and her husband Harry of Barrington, RI.
Mrs. Owen is also survived by her children: daughter Mae Ann White and her husband, Jamie of Leesville; son Charles Anthony Owen and his wife Carolyn Owen of Benton, LA. Grand children Joseph Creighton Ledet of Baton Rouge, Laura Gaye and Emma Frances Owen, both of Benton.
Visitation for Mrs. Owen will be from 4p.m. to 8p.m., Sunday August 26th, at the First United Methodist Church of Leesville. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 27th at 1p.m. in the Church. Graveside will take place at the Leesville cemetery immediately following.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Leesville High School Alumni Association or the Methodist Children's Home of Ruston, Louisiana.
What’s your fondest memory of Gloria?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gloria?
Share a story where Gloria's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gloria you’ll never forget.
How did Gloria make you smile?