Gwendolyn (Gwen) Bond Owens, a native of Elbert County, Georgia, was the second of five children born to Clinton and Edna Bond. She is survived by her siblings and their spouses: Ronald Bond (deceased wife Sarah), Polly (Jim, deceased) Mann, Vivian (Don, deceased) Edwards, and Linda (Jimmy) Loggins. Gwen's early education began in Elberton, Georgia. Her family later moved to Camak, Georgia, when she was in the sixth grade, and subsequently to Athens, Georgia, when she was in the ninth grade. During her high school years, she excelled as a cheerleader and basketball player at both Warrenton High School in Camak and Athens High School. Gwen was also a member of the Beta Club and held various officer positions in several clubs at Athens High.
After graduating high school, Gwen made the selfless decision to forgo college to support her family financially. She began her career as the branch manager’s secretary at GMAC in Athens. During this time, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Lewis Owens, at Young Harris Methodist Church in Athens. Bob was a student at the University of Georgia, and they married in 1962. After Bob completed his Master of Fine Arts, they moved to Dahlonega, Georgia, where he established the Fine Arts Department at North Georgia College. They later settled in Cleveland, Georgia, where they built a beautiful home, workshop, and studio. Gwen lived in Cleveland until moving to The Phoenix Senior Living Community in Hoschton, GA in 2023.
Gwen found joy in assisting Bob with glazing and firing pottery, which he sold throughout the Southern Appalachian region. She eventually began creating her own artwork, and Bob was always proud that her angels would be the first items to sell out at their annual Christmas Open House. Their marriage, described as ideal by their many friends, was a source of great happiness, and Bob’s passing in 2004 deeply affected her for the rest of her life.
Gwen worked in the Registrar’s Office at Truett McConnell College and was later elected to the White County Board of Education. She retired from the board when the Superintendent invited her to work in their financial department, where she served as the financial director until her retirement in 2000.
Active in her community, Gwen participated in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for her children’s schools and was a member of the Kiwanis Club, earning their “Workhorse Award.” She was also a dedicated member of Cleveland United Methodist Church (UMC), serving as Worship Director and choir member, and at some opin, chaired or served on almost every committee at the church. Gwen was also known as a fantastic cook, and her fried okra was always one of the most popular dishes at the UMC Family Night Suppers.
Gwen and Bob had two sons, Benjamin and Robert; three grandchildren, Zachary (Kelly), Rebecca (Mauricio) Galvis, and Isaac (Logan); five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Tragically, Robert, who founded Owens’ Welding in 1986, passed away in 2022 and is survived by his wife, Jean Hardman Owens, who still lives in Cleveland. Along with Bob’s death, Robert’s passing was a profound loss for Gwen.
Gwen’s eldest son, Ben, resides in Brasstown, NC, with his wife, Hygie. Ben, a graduate of North Georgia University (BS in Physics) and Georgia Tech (Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering), worked as an engineer with DuPont for 19 years before earning a Master of Arts in Teaching from Marshall University. He then taught physics and math for 11 years at an innovative high school in Murphy, NC before co-authoring a book on education reform and co-founding an educational nonprofit that collaborates with schools nationwide.
Gwen had a special bond (pun intended!) with her sisters, with frequent gatherings and travels they shared throughout her life. She also had a host of friends that she made over the years in Cleveland through her work, her community service, her church, and her art. She carried that active, friendly nature with her to The Phoenix, where, in the relatively short time there, she became loved and admired for being an active part of that community. She was especially known for her prowess in Scrabble, cards, and dominoes. She also had a soft spot in her heart for animals and was constantly in the company of her Shih Tzu companion, Bella.
Gwen will be remembered for her spirit of selflessness, her deep dedication to family and community, and as a model of faith and love to those around her. She leaves behind a legacy of service, kindness, and an enduring impact on all who knew her.
A celebration of Gwen’s life will be held on Sunday, July 7th, at 3 pm at the First Methodist Church sanctuary in Cleveland, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. It was Gwen’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the Bob Owens Art Scholarship Fund at UNG:Visual Arts Scholarships & Awards
To share a memory or to leave an online condolencefor the family, please visitwww.barrettfh.com
Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland.
