HARLEM, Ga. - Mrs. Thelma Washington Owens, 86, wife of the late V.J. Owens, passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at the Thomson Health & Rehabilitation, Thomson. Funeral services were held 2 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at Silver Run Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Pitman officiating. Interment was in Bellevue Memorial Gardens, Grovetown. Mrs. Owens was a native of Jefferson County and lived in Harlem most of her life. She retired as a seamstress from the Thomson Company of 32 years and was a member of Silver Run Baptist Church. Survivors include her son, R. Gary Allen, Grovetown; four daughters, Barbara (John) Mullis, Kathy (Billy) Oliphant, Harlem, Jewell Allen, Harlem and Dorothy (Gordon) Powell, Augusta; two brothers, Martin Washington, Beech Island and John Clayton Washington, Hephzibah; one brother-in-law, Johnny Brooks, Thomson; grandchildren, Lori Britton, Shaun Mullis, David Mullis, Renae Whaley, Melissa Pursley, Travis Gough, Richard Gough, Michael Oliphant, Bryan Oliphant and 16 greatgrandchildren. Pallbearers were nephews. Starling Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.