Sandra Jones Owens

Sandra “Peeper” Jones Owens entered the gates of Heaven on December 10, 2024 at the age of 88. Born January 20, 1936 in Jacksonville, FL she was the daughter of Edward Napolean and Inez Chambers Jones.

After graduating from Florida State University earning a BS in Elementary Education, she married her soul mate, Donald Ray Owens and moved to his hometown of Palatka, FL. Sandra taught school for several years and had two children, Ivy Elizabeth and Donald Ray Owens, Jr. She and Ray returned to Jacksonville, FL to own and operate her family’s business, Jones Office Equipment until they had the opportunity to move to Columbia, SC with Ray’s job at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Sandra retired from Bank of America after 20 years of service. She was very active in the community serving as Treasurer on the Governor’s Mansion Foundation, Treasurer of the Gay Gardener’s Club, Secretary of the Hospice Board at Palmetto Baptist Hospice and volunteered as a Junior Achievement teacher in the public schools where she was honored with the Above and Beyond Award for her service. She was a longtime active member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where she served as Altar Guild Chair, Flower Guild Chair and a member of the Daughter’s of the Holy Cross.

Surviving are her husband, Donald Ray Owens of Columbia, SC; daughter, Ivy Owens Riley (Max Whatley) of Greenville, SC; son, Donald Ray Owens, Jr. (Robin) of Blythewood, SC; grandchildren, Richard W. Riley, III of Carlsbad, CA; Hayden Riley Ellison of Columbia, SC; Kelly Owens Johnson (Daniel) of Easley, SC; Lori Owens Fincannon (Ethan) of Simpsonville, SC; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. She was predeceased by her sister, Sheila Jones Seitz, and brother, Edward Napolean “Tad” Jones.

A celebration of life for Sandra will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, SC on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 2 pm. Following the funeral, the family will receive friends at the church in Satterlee Hall. Memorials may be made to Trinity Cathedral Foundation and Trinity Housing Corporation, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201.