Tilman Bennett Owens

Notes for TILMAN BENNETT OWENS:

[Bennett cooper Jones]

Tilman Bennett Owens was a very well known and popular person on the old Easley Mill Community. For many years he was the grocery business, at the old Mundy Store in Easley. Later on he was a very successful agent for the Life Insurance Company in Virginia. All of the nine children were employed by the Old Easley Mill. One of Bennett's great Joys was for his wife and nine children to go annually on a week's camping trip and this was practiced until his death. He also loved flowers and was noted for always having a pretty yard with flowers. He was also a great churchman, a charter member of the Easley Mill Methodist Church, Where he served as superintendent of Sunday School. Later on his son George Thomas Owens also served as supervenient and later a grandson, George Thomas Owen,Jr served in the same capacity. For many years Bennett led the singing in the church and was followed after his death by his son W. Lawrence who also led the singing for many years. Lawrence was followed by his son W. Thomas, who played the organ and directed the choir for many years. An important dart in the life of the T. Bennett Owens family was February 8; Bennett and Sarah Lou were married February 8, 1892. Their first son J. Leo was born 2 years Later on Fe. 8,1894. Their second son, George Thomas Owens, Was born Feb. 8,1896. A grandson, Leon Owens, son of James Tilman Owens, Sr. was married to Bernice Pressley on Feb. 8, So this date is a special date in the life of the family. Bennett would invite friends in on this date with the family for what he called a " Big Blow Out", An annual birthday-anniversary party. This practice was followed even after his death by his children for many years.

There have been several politicians in the family. Son, George Thomas Owens served as Alderman for many

years. Son,Earl Russell Owens served as Coroner of Pickens County for two terms. A grandson, Joesph Bennett, son of Leo also served as Alderman and just recently retired from this position and has been honored by the city of Easley, South Carolina as its Citizen of the Year. Presently a grandson Larry Bagwell, son of Maude is serving on the City Council. Larry is also well known and popular in the city of Easley as he is the coach of the very successful Easley High School Greenwave Football Team that has had quite a bit of recognition in the state for a winning football team. Another grandson, Marion Charles Owens, son of Earl Russell is presently Chairman of the Pickens County Council. The Owens family is a very close knit family and we have a great heritage and are very proud of it. We share not

only Our accomplishments, but we also share one another's problems and concerns