Jimmie Jean Owen

Jimmie Jean Owen January 24, 1930 - January 16, 2007 Jimmie Jean Warren Owen of Waco died Tuesday, January 16th at a local hospital. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 23rd at First Presbyterian Church of Waco, the Reverend Dr. Jimmie Johnson officiating. Visitation with the family will be Monday, January 22nd from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey in the Garden Room. Jimmie Jean was born January 24, 1930, in Sweetwater to James Forrest and Pauline Waits Warren. She grew up in Crockett where she graduated from Crockett High School. She attended Southern Methodist University, majoring in English and Journalism. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and continued actively supporting that sorority as an alumnus. She worked as a writer for the Dallas Morning News while attending SMU, and continued in a full-time capacity after college. She married John T. Owen July 30, 1955 in Crockett. They moved to Waco in 1957. Jimmie Jean was Headmistress at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in the early ‘70s, where she is widely regarded as the administrative/fundraising catalyst for a definitive curriculum direction and successful enrollment expansion leading to the addition of several grades and a fundamentally sound, academically relevant institution. After her retirement from St. Paul’s, she coordinated curriculum for Gifted and Talented Student Education through the Education Service Center, Region 12. She raised awareness and focused curriculum funding to gifted and talented programs through service on local, state and national committees. Jimmie Jean was an active member of the Waco community. She served as volunteer, chairman, and advisor for many organizations including Cotton Palace Pageant, Waco Hippodrome, Meals on Wheels, East Terrace, Garden Club, and Historic Waco Foundation. She served First Presbyterian Church of Waco in several capacities, including Deacon, Elder and the Sanctuary Guild moderator. Each year for Easter, she folded hundreds of palm crosses for the congregation to wear. She also served as a representative on Grace Presbytery, one of the governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church. Jimmie Jean was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Forrest S. Bud Warren. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Marshall and Ann Owen of Waco, grandchildren Cameron and Rachel Owen of Waco, brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Joseph F. and Cora Sue Warren of Tomball, nieces and nephews, Suzanne Warren, Jim Warren, Joe Warren, John Warren, Jimmy Warren, Mike Warren, and Kathryn Warren. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Waco Sanctuary Guild. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey