Vera Marie Owens

OPLIN: Vera Marie Owens, 92, passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 surrounded by her family. A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 2:00pm in the Oplin Baptist Church, Oplin, Texas. Funeral services are entrusted to Fry~Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola. A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 18 from 4 to 6pm at the funeral home in Tuscola.

Vera was born to George Lewis and Linnie Elizabeth (Watson) Archer on October 6, 1928 in Clyde. Vera did not travel far, she attended school in Clyde and later married James Arnold "J.A." Owens, Jr. on July 1, 1946 in Abilene. They moved to California and returned to Texas in 1973 settling in Oplin.

Vera was never one to be still, while in California she was a cafeteria manager for over 30 year, and she and J.A. owned Boron T.V. Sales and Service. Vera, never being afraid of hard work, spent her evenings fixing broken T.V.'s and radios. When she returned to Texas, they opened the Jot Um Down store in Oplin for the next 32 years. Vera and the Jot U Down store became famous when they were discovered by Texas Country Reporter that highlighted her incredible hamburgers.

Her family recalls that she was very innocent, but with a great sense of humor, who loved to laugh, loved her family, and loved her church. She was a very "easy going" soul, tendered hearted, who enjoyed cooking, gardening and was also known for great southern style Sunday lunches that included her favorite dessert, Peach cobbler. Her only weakness was she loved Avon and sold Avon for years. She also had a knack of pinching pennies so hard they would squeal, yet she spent lavishly on her family. It was her family that brought her the peace, it was this that she enjoyed most starting from the young age of seventeen. She was a proud member of Oplin Baptist Church since 1973. During her 48 years at Oplin Baptist Church she was a song leader and taught Sunday School.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, J. A., grandson James Randolph Morris, brothers, David, Herman, Marshall, Carl, and Robert Archer, sisters, Roberta Lindsey, and Marjorie Bassett.

She is survived by her daughters, Alice Marie Morris Denunzio and husband David of Oplin; July Ann Woodard and husband Butch of Oplin; Arletta Kay O'Shields and husband James of Coleman; brother, George Oscar Archer and wife Linda; four granddaughters, Cheryl Galvan, Tiffeny Fulgham, Regina Woodard, and Amanda Leamons; two grandsons, Levi Woodard, and Jarret O'Shields. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left at www.fry-smith.com.