Jean Justus Owens, 88, passed away in her sleep Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Westminster Canterbury in Virginia Beach She was born and raised in Currituck County, NC, calling Waterily her home until moving to Norfolk, then Virginia Beach.
She began working right after high school. Then she found a home in insurance at Starr Cromwell and Son Insurance Agency. She continued in insurance, first as an Independent Agent, then owning her own Nationwide Agency, along with her Jean J Owens Agency. She took great pride in taking care of her beloved customers.
Jean was known for her drive, determination, and independence. Many described her as a “force to be reckoned with.” She built her own business; she designed and built her own house. She mentored many young folks who looked up to her as a role model. Jean loved color: in her yard, her house, her clothes, and her life. She was also known for a few favorite colorful words.
She had great friends and loved entertaining.
She married Rupert Owens when she was 19; they were married for 21 years and remained friends. She was a devoted mother to Annette and her family grew to include grandchildren and great grandchildren. When she became a grandmother, she didn’t want to be called anything with “grand” in it, though she did state she was “grand and wonderful.” Since Grandwonderful was a mouthful for kids, she became “Jean” to all of her grands and greats. She brought her own unique style to grandparenting, and they all love telling their favorite stories about her and the love and energy she brought to their lives. Beach times and Christmases were their favorite times because of her. There are so many “Jean-isms” that put a smile on everyone’s face. She passed along the love of family and friends, the love of the beach, cooking, gardening, and a sense of humor. She and her sister Shirley always gave each other gifts of heritage, and she has certainly left a beautiful heritage of life.
She is survived by her daughter, Annette/AJ Owens Eccles (John) of whom she was so proud. The other loves of her life were her grandchildren: Jordan Eccles (Stephanie), Ty Eccles (Casey), Carly Eccles Sheaffer (Shef), and her great grandchildren Addie, Bria, and Bryce Sheaffer, Grace and John Eccles, Sophia and Victoria Eccles. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hasson and Edith Justus, her sister and brother in law Shirley and Gene Austin, and a grandson Abram Eccles Sheaffer.
Many thanks to the wonderful staff in Memory Care and Long Term Care at Westminster for their love and care of her. The family will hold a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eccles Family Scholarship at the University of Lynchburg, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Rotary Club of Norfolk.
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