By: Haley S.R. No. 938 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 In Memory 1-3 of 1-4 The Reverend J. P. Owens, Sr. 1-5 WHEREAS, The citizens of Woodville and the family and many 1-6 friends of the Reverend J. P. Owens, Sr., mourn the loss of this 1-7 beloved pastor who died recently; and 1-8 WHEREAS, A faithful minister of the gospel for 59 years, the 1-9 Reverend Owens wanted simply to be known as God's messenger serving 1-10 God every moment of his life; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Born July 30, 1916, at Smith Ferry in Tyler County, 1-12 J. P. Owens, Sr., was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Owens 1-13 of Buna; he had lived in Woodville for 29 years; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Reverend Owens was a graduate of 1-15 Jasper High School and earned a bachelor of science degree 1-16 from East Texas Bible College in Marshall and a theological 1-17 master's degree in 1948 from Southwestern Baptist Theological 1-18 Seminary in Fort Worth; and 1-19 WHEREAS, He joined the ministry in 1934 and was licensed by 1-20 the First Baptist Church in Marshall on January 8, 1936; and 1-21 WHEREAS, During his career he pastored many churches 1-22 before serving as director of missions for the Sabine Neches Area; 1-23 he remained in that position until he retired in 1981; upon his 2-1 retirement he served as interim minister of many Baptist churches 2-2 in Texas and Louisiana; he was named pastor emeritus of the First 2-3 Baptist Church in Jena, Louisiana, on October 11, 1992; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Very active in religious and civic affairs, the 2-5 Reverend Owens was the associational moderator in Texas and 2-6 Louisiana; he donated his time to the State Plans and Policy 2-7 Committee in Louisiana, the Louisiana State Executive Board, 2-8 and the Baptist Hospital Board in Alexandria, Louisiana; and 2-9 WHEREAS, This respected minister's varied and notable 2-10 achievements have always contributed to the progress of his 2-11 community; and 2-12 WHEREAS, His wise counsel and good judgment will be remembered 2-13 with gratitude by those whose lives he influenced; now, therefore, 2-14 be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-16 73rd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the members 2-17 of his family: his son, Judge Jerome P. Owens, Jr.; his daughters, 2-18 Jane Griffen and Diane Dotson; his brothers, Jamie Owens, Ted Owens, 2-19 and Guy Owens; his sister, Mary Gray; and his seven grandchildren 2-20 and three great-grandchildren; and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 2-22 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 2-23 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so 2-24 in the name of the Reverend J. P. Owens, Sr. 2-25 _____________________________________ 3-1 President of the Senate 3-2 I hereby certify that the 3-3 above Resolution was adopted by 3-4 the Senate on May 14, 1993, 3-5 by a rising vote. 3-6 _____________________________________ 3-7 Secretary of the Senate 3-8 _____________________________________ 3-9 Member, Texas Senate