Gladys Isbell Owens

December 15, 1927 - August 12, 2015

Gladys Mae Isbell Owens, 87, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at her home in Booneville. She was born December 15, 1927 to James Russell and Lillian Howell Nichols in Prentiss County. Gladys had a masters in education and loved teaching. Education was very important to her and she was known for inspiring, encouraging and funding numerous students to futher their education. She was retired from the Prentiss County School System. She was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed fishing, traveling, gardening and cooking. Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, August 16, 2015 in the Booneville Funeral Home Chapel, with Joe Vernon Johnson officiating and Charles Nichols delivering the eulogy. Visitation will be Saturday from 5:00 till 8:00 P.M. Burial will be in Little Brown Cemetery. She is survived by three brothers, Charles Nichols (Juanita) of Panama City, Florida, James M. Nichols (Von) of New Albany, and Ray Nichols (Rosemary) of Zion, Illinois; two sisters, Glen Finch Teofan (Ron) of Rossville, Tennessee and Jane Kingsley (Jerry) of College Station, Texas; her extended family, Kathern Pace (Charles), Earl Owens (Clara) and Kay Owens all of Booneville; her special caregiver, Ginger Woods; and numerous step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Eulas Isbell, of 52 years; her son, Jimmy Ray Isbell, who died December 21, 1965, while serving his country in Vietnam; her second husband, Marvin Owens, of 8 years; her third husband, Marlis “Cotton” Thornton, of 1 year; two brothers, Milford Nichols and Melvin Nichols, two sisters, Marie Spencer and Frances Woodruff; and nephew, Don Boren. Condolences may be made to the family at boonevillefuneralhome.net.