Charlotte Bishop Owens

Whether you knew her as a friend, an aunt, a sister, or as Mom, Charlotte Owens was a force to be reckoned with. She loved the occasional irreverent joke, a good cup of coffee, a glass of Pinot Grigio (with ice, please) and playing slots on her favorite machine at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi, MS.

Born into a coal mining family in Townley, Alabama, Charlotte attended Gulf Park Women’s College, and then received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Alabama. There, she met the man she was to marry, the late James (Jim) I. Owens, who was to become her husband of more than 60 years. Together, Jim and Charlotte lived in 8 states and traveled together to Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Australia seeing the world’s wonders and making friends around the globe.

A fiercely devoted wife and mother, Charlotte was also an accomplished professional and tireless volunteer. She began her career as a junior high teacher and coach in Mobile, Alabama. She also taught in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Alabama in the early 1960s. In the early 1980s Charlotte became an extraordinary real estate agent in Northern Virginia. There she repeatedly led her agency in sales over the course of more than a 20- year career and often sold homes to three generations of the same families. As a volunteer, among many other roles, she served as President of the George C. Marshall High School Booster Club (where she was beloved by her son’s teammates for her southern hospitality, fried chicken, and passion for Statesmen sports), as President of several HOAs, President of the Newcomer’s Club, and in a variety of other roles. While she gave herself fully to these pursuits, Charlotte’s greatest joy was always found in her family.

She was a devoted mother to her only child, James (Jim) I. Owens, Jr., a generous and loving grandmother to her granddaughter Anna E. Owens and grandson, James (Trip) I. Owens, III (Faith) and Aunt to her many nieces and nephews. Charlotte was predeceased by her father, Lattues G. Bishop, her Mother, Velma W. Bishop, her sister, Barbara B. Williams, and husband, James I Owens. She is survived by her son, two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, multiple nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation are appreciated. For more information on how to make a gift go to https://www.huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org