Sheila Rowell Owens was born to Harold and Mary Rowell on October 3, 1959 and passed away surrounded by family on the afternoon of February 2, 2026.
Sheila was blessed to have two great loves in her life. She met Jerry Joyner very early in her life. They were married on July 2, 1977. During their 14 years of marriage, they built a beautiful home and had three children together. After his passing, Sheila began putting herself through nursing school. During this time she began dating Steve Owens. Steve brought love back into her life and they were married in Arkansas on February 25, 1994. Their blended family was woven together wonderfully.
Sheila loved serving others and this showed in every part of her life. She was a dedicated member of Jamestown Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and each summer served on the VBS team. Sheila had a passion for music and loved to play the piano. She began playing the piano during worship services as a freshman in high school and continued serving in this capacity for her church for over fifty years.
After caring for her preemie son and sick husband for several years, Sheila went to school to pursue a nursing degree. She graduated with her Bachelor’s and began her career as a registered nurse in the Labor and Delivery Unit at Minden Medical Center. She loved taking care of newborns so much that after many years at Minden Medical she made the move to LSU to work in the Neonatal Unit. She thrived in this position caring for the preemies born.
After 12 years of Nursing, Sheila was ready to step into her most favorite role of all time; being an amazing Nana to her grandchildren. Sheila doted on her grandchildren and loved spending as much time with them as possible. She always carried her camera to snap photos of family and friends. But after having grandchildren, those sweet babies took ownership of her camera roll.
Family was one of Sheila’s greatest joys and achievements. On Sundays, you could see her having family dinners after church, and during the week you could find her sitting with her parents at 4:30, watching jeopardy. She would answer almost every question correctly before the contestants. Sheila was brilliant and loved solving crossword puzzles and cryptograms in the newspaper.
If you met Sheila you immediately knew three things about her: she loved her family, especially her grandchildren, she loved her church and serving there, and she loved playing the piano.
Sheila was preceded in death by her husband of 14 years Jerry Joyner, her infant daughter baby girl Joyner, and her grandson Owen Kimbrell.
Left to cherish her memory are her parents, Harold & Mary Rowell of Ringgold, her husband of almost 34 years Steve Owens from Castor, her two sons, Justin and Wife Mandy, Joey and wife Jesika both of Ringgold. 3 daughters in love: Tabby Owens of Baton Rouge, Brittany Owens of Bossier City, and Kim Owens of Jamestown. And a bonus son Jamie Owens and wife Kelly of Ringgold. Her grandchildren Levi and Luke Joyner, Jayla and Warren Joyner, Lily and Sam Kimbrell, Lacey Stegall, and Carter Owens. Her brother, Harold Rowell Jr. and wife Lynn of Bossier City, LA and a host of nieces and nephews.
The pallbearers are Levi Joyner, Luke Joyner, Warren Joyner, Jacob Joyner, Alex Stewart, and Jeremiah Joyner.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Misty Paul with St. Joseph Hospice Care, and Pat Rowell and the entire staff of the Ringgold Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Visitation for Sheila Rowell Owens will be Sunday February 8, 2026 at 2:00pm at Jamestown Baptist Church with services beginning at 3:00pm also at Jamestown Baptist Church, followed by a graveside service at Pleasant Grove Cemetery under the direction of Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold, LA.