Margaret Alice Richards Owens

Margaret Alice Richards Owens, 88, moved on to Glory by the Lord’s Gracious Hand on July 20, 2017, at Willowbrooke Court in Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville, GA.  Margaret was born April 13, 1929 in Tampa, FL to James Kenneth Richards, Sr. and Lucy Stone Richards.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her older brothers Kenneth and Edwin Richards, and husband J. Erwin Owens.

She is survived by her two sons:  Richard (Kitty) Owens, Alpharetta, GA, grandson Baker (Caroline); and Dudley (Mary) Owens and granddaughters Madelyn and Audrey.

Margaret enjoyed her educational achievements.  She was a graduate of Pine Manor Junior College near Boston and the University of Florida, where she served as President of Chi Omega Sorority.  It was in Gainesville, FL after graduation that she met her future husband Erwin, who began working there after the War.  In 1954 with a young marriage and a new baby, she found herself leaving Florida for Dahlonega, GA with Erwin as he joined his parents to farm chickens and cattle.  As much as this was a surprise adventure to leave behind her familiar life in Florida, she quickly embraced Dahlonega with a fondness and fierce sense of protection and stewardship.

Among other engaged and involved Dahlonega citizens, Margaret helped spearhead numerous initiatives to enhance and protect unique assets of the town.  These activities included: encouraging the conversion of the Historic Courthouse to become a State Museum; successfully resisting the plan to create a ‘yo-yo’ dam that would have flooded much of the south side of the County; serving on the first Lumpkin County Planning Commission; preserving, renovating and re-purposing the Walasi-Yi Center on the Appalachian Trail; working to preserve and enhance the Downtown Dahlonega building facades and the traffic pattern plan on the square; creating and protecting Dahlonega signage regulations; service on the Historic Preservation Commission; and helping establish the Folkways Center.

As a wife and mother she managed her family well.  She offered valuable support to Erwin as he grew his farming business and as he served the Georgia State Senate during the 60’s, and in other leadership roles.  She nurtured her sons in the important values of life.  Values that include respect and care for others in all walks of life, and exposure to learning and educational ideals.  She treasured her love for her immediate and her extended family.  

With her heart for art and beauty she participated in and supported many endeavors of art and local Dahlonega history.  Her passion for beauty culminated in starting Antiques of Dahlonega, a business she operated for many years.

In Dahlonega, Margaret served in committed ways to numerous civic organizations including the PTA and Cub Scouts; and to her Church, Dahlonega United Methodist.  After moving to Lanier Village in Gainesville, GA 15 years ago, she became active at Gainesville First United Methodist Church assisting in ministry to developmentally disabled adults.

Her greatest joys and pleasures of course, came as a grandmother to her three beloved grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in Margaret’s memory to Glisson Camp and Retreat Center, 690 Camp Glisson Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533; www.glisson.org.

The family expresses special gratitude to friends and caregivers at Lanier Village Estates and Willowbrooke Court within Lanier Village.

A memorial celebratory service will be held at Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville, GA in early August at a date to be announced.  And a service in Dahlonega will be held at the Dahlonega United Methodist Church at a date in late September to be announced.