Stephen Hornsby Owens
Stephen Hornsby Owens, age 68, of Marietta, Georgia, died October 2nd, 2021 at Kennestone Hospital from Covid-19 pneumonia. Stephen was born on April 28th, 1953 in Schenectady, New York. He attended Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, New York, earned a Bachelor’s degree of Music from Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam New York, and pursued graduate studies at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. He married Victoria Hood Owens on August 30th, 1981. Stephen spent 38 years working as a computer programmer. He was actively involved with his beloved church, Pilgrimage United Church of Christ, serving on the education committee, teaching bible study, member of the Spiritual Seekers group, and singing in the choir. As a professional musician, he played for many different churches in the metro Atlanta area: Mountain View United Methodist Church, Ray-Thomas Presbyterian Church, Midway Community Church, Christ the King Cathedral, Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Mount Bethel United Methodist Church, and Fellowship Bible Church. He was an avid book reader and was a student of theology. He took bible courses from Spring Hill College and Candler School of Theology. He also loved his online gaming communities. Stephen is survived by his wife, Victoria Hood Owens, of Marietta, Georgia, his son, Christopher Owens (Sam Selman) of Norcross, Georgia, his daughter, Rachel Owens (Kathryn Schroeder) of Atlanta, Georgia, and his granddaughter, Amira Selman-Owens. He is also survived by his mother, Marcia Owens of Green Valley, Arizona, his sisters, Margery Schofield (Harold) of Brockport, New York, Elizabeth Owens of Amherst, New York, and Carole Hughes (Tony) of Orchard Park, New York. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Owens.
A memorial service will be held at Pilgrimage United Church of Christ, 3755 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, Georgia 30066 on October 10th, 2021 at 3:00 PM and will be live streamed on facebook.com/PilgrimageUCC.GA. Following the service there will be an outdoor reception at Pilgrimage United Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Steve’s memory to Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. or Pilgrimage United Church of Christ.
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Steve was a gentle and kind man. He will be missed.
Such a wonderful man who spoke from the heart sharing his faith and love for all. His wings have been reserved for a long time. But none of us were ready for him to get them this soon.
My dear sweet brother. You will live in my heart always.
Liz & Carol,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Please give our regards to your mother, and the rest of the family from John, Marge & Dwight Pakan
So sorry for your loss. I knew Steve from church and he was always kind, thoughtful, generous and had a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family.
I adored my brother-in-law Steve. I treasure the times and many laughs we shared together. You are loved and missed.
I will always remember his beautiful bass voice, his gentleness, kindness, and the fact that he called my by my childhood name “Lynnie”. No one else calls me that now that I’m an aged adult. LOL
Gone to soon. But forever grateful to have known him for the short time he was with us at Pilgrimage UCC.
What a blessing it has been to know Steve! He will be sorely missed. A man of many talents and tremendous wisdom.
Steve was a special and dear friend. I enjoyed our Bible Study and shared time at PIlgrimage in worship, choir, and spiritual seeking. He helped me stretch my thoughts about God and faith and was a blessing in my life. I already miss him, but am so very grateful for the opportunity to enjoy his friendship!
Bright memories and the Kingdom of Heaven to you, dear friend.
You will forever remain in our hearts.
Dear Steve,
Thank you for spending your time with me. I have so enjoyed your surprising insights into your faith. You have expanded my mind and heart with your theological points of view. You have always treated me, and my fledgling faith, with kindness, gentleness and respect.
I will miss your smile.
Peace to you,
Jamie
Steve, you were a faithful man of God. The gifts of teaching scripture and music impacted so many. Rest now in the loving arms of God.
Sending love and prayers to Steve’s family . May God hold you tight in His loving arms! Ruthalice Watson
Many prayers for the Owen’s family. Victoria, may you find peace until you and Steve meet again.
I was blessed to be able to sing with him in choir and play recorders with him with our small group at church. I will miss him and his sense of humor and his big hugs.
Steve was a true gentleman — talented, knowledgeable, thoughtful and caring. So thankful to have known him; so saddened by his loss.
And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
I only wish I had known him. I’m sure he was a very swell husband, father, neighbor and friend.
Angie and I continue you to hold you close in our thoughts and prayers.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
Gone, way too soon. Steve was such a sweet, kind and gentle soul. He so loved the scriptures and I learned so much from him in his Bible study groups.
He used to call me June Bug. No one, except, my Dad, called me that. You will be missed.
Love and prayers for your family.
Steve was a truly sweet and gentle soul, insightful, kind and funny. I loved singing with him in the Pilgrimage UCC choir, especially when I got to pinch hit as a bass with him now and then. He was a truly talented musician and an even nicer human being. I will miss his friendship, laughter, and beautiful bass voice. Sending the Owens family, and especially Victoria, much love.
Such a delightful, wry sense of humor. Steve lit up our Seekers group at church with humor as well as deep thoughts. Very wise. Very funny. I loved sharing a small part of life with Steve. Rest In Peace. Friend. You did much good. Thank you.
What a gifted and talented man of God who will be missed by many. Gone too soon. Prayers for Victoria and who who lived him
So sorry for your loss. Love you all
I went to college with Steve and so I knew him when he was very young. We shared some fun young times at Potsdam and also some times when I needed friendship or musical advice. Once my car broke down nearby so I visited his mom’s house in Schenectady.
I am so happy that Steve found a wonderful wife, children and church family and had a close relationship with God. I am now happy to know that he is peaceful in heaven. Thank you so much for your friendship Steve.
Sandy Ackerman, Amherst, NY 6073861948
Condolences, I echo Laurie Spencer, he was funny and deep, and kind and Very Talented, and humble about his talent. His total manner has me recall the expression,
Only the Strong can be Mild.
I want to share his improv SaX music, and as an age 68 guy had trouble doing it/Links via Facebook.
All enjoy his free form sax, on my surf video, go to YouTube, in Search put
Steve ” Surf Magic” GoPro Sesh 1
His improv SaX to my surf video, posted by friend Niki Leilani Lapitan, NaNaNaNiki
He was my childhood best friend, and joking and wrestling with the bigger-than-me guy, I broke his eyeglasses by accident too nany times, and his mom complained, good naturedly. We Played Ice Hockey together and against each other, partnered to win a 3 legged race at a neighborhood fair, and snow skied often, at Gore Mtn, and once at WhiteFace.
Thanks for a Tremendous childhood, with memories of fun and love