Nina Pearl Owens

Nina Pearl Owens was born in Van Alystyne, Texas, on March 12, 1926. She was the daughter of John and Willie Totton Perry, who were tenant farmers. She was the fifth child of six boys and six girls.

            Nina Pearl Owens was married t Bernard Ralph Owens, who as a Corporal in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Owens passed away on March 23, 1993.

            Nina was an entrepreneur. She was a cosmetologist who owned her own beauty shop. Additionally, she was what would now be considered a real estate mogul. She owned numerous properties in Denver and Pueblo, Colorado, and Temple, Oklahoma.

            Nina had a benevolent spirit and was committed to helping those in need. In an interview with Harold Powell in 2006, Nina recounted one of her first memories of benevolence. “When I was five Mrs. Wilkins was ninety. She had nobody to help her. It was cold. I asked her if I could put some wood in her house. She gave me a quarter. I’ve been doing charity ever since. I recently hired a truck to haul clothing to Louisiana (for hurricane victims). The Lord has blessed me so why shouldn’t I help others.” Nina ultimately contributed to more than eighty charities throughout her lifetime. She also faithfully supported the work of the church. Additionally, she helped family members who were in need.

            Nina was an active and faithful member of the Church of Christ. For many years she was a member of the Temple Church of Christ. In recent years she placed membership at the Kennedy Heights Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio, where her grandson, John T. Edmerson, was minister. When she was no longer able to attend worship services, members of the Kennedy Heights Church of Christ worshipped with her on Sunday afternoons.

            In approximately the year 2007, Nina’s health began to decline. Her older daughter, Virginia, was instrumental in coordinating the support of the Church of Christ in Lawton, Oklahoma, to ensure Nina had regular meals. By 2009, Nina was beginning to have significant challenges living independently. At this time, Nina’s younger daughter, LaShelle, decided to assume management of Nina’s care. LaShelle and her husband, John, traveled to Temple, Oklahoma, to make arrangements to bring Nina home with them. With Nina’s consent, LaShelle and Nina’s grandson, Darrell, became the legal Power of Attorney for Nina. After obtaining the legal Power of Attorney, LaShelle informed her siblings.

            Nina had previously made a commitment to attend a military event in Orlando, Florida, with her granddaughter Barbi and her husband, Rod Aleandre. So, in July 2009, LaShelle flew to Orlando and moved Nina t Union, Kentucky.

            Upon arriving in Union, Kentucky, Nina was immediately admitted to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment of a blood clot in her leg. LaShelle and her husband, John, then cared for her in their home for one year. During the day, while John and LaShelle were at work, Nina attended an adult day-care center. Nina’s needs continued to escalate, however, and she eventually had to be admitted to the dementia unit at Colonial Gardens, where she could receive personalized care in a small group environment. Nina was later moved to Indianspring of Oakley Nursing Home. The Lord blessed Nina with a daughter who was committed to ensuring that she had the best care. LaShelle spent countless hours caring for Nina from 2009 to 2016.  Because of LaShelle’s presence with Nina during a meal approximately a year ago, Nina survived multiple blood clots in her lungs that threatened her life. Nina was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at The Christ Hospital. Once Nina was discharged from the hospital, she was transferred to Kenwood Terrace Care Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

            On March 18, 2016, Nina was admitted to Hospice care and remained at Kenwood Terrace Care Center. She was no longer eating or drinking. She had also been recently diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Nina was in the final stages of dementia.

            ON Tuesday, March, 22, 201, Nina was peacefully called home to the Lord with John and LaShelle at her bedside. She is survived by sons Ralph Owens of Oakland, CA; Charles Owens and his wife, Ginger, of Denver, CO; and Marcus Owens and his wife, Shirley, of Flower Mound, TX; daughters Virginia Wright and her husband, David, of Colorado Springs, CO; and Dr. LaShelle Edmerson and her husband, Dr. John, of Cincinnati, OH; seventeen grandchildren and numerous great- and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; brothers Calvin Perry and wife Brenda, and Dr. Frank Perry and wife, Linda; and sister Louise Skinner and husband, Angel.