Obituary of Reberta Ellen Owens

February 2, 1943 – June 13, 2019

Reberta Ellen Owens.  Age 76 of Wyandotte.

Beloved wife of Paul Owens.  Loving mother of Melissa Smigielski, Melanie (Steve) Lucas, Melvin (Lori) Owens and Paula (Keith) Chinavare.  Dearest grandmother of Michael Smigielski, Timothy Owens, Emily Wise, Adam Smigielski, Rosanne Johnson, Amy Davis, Keith Chinavare Jr., Austin Lucas, Paige Chinavare, Adeline Chinavare and Shiloh Chinavare.  Dear sister of Geraldine (David) Guthrie and David Richardson.  Also survived by 10 great grandchildren and stepfather, James Richardson.  Preceded in death by parents, Elmer Miller and Rosella Richardson and son in-law, Richard Smigielski.

Family Tribute

Reberta was a selfless woman of God. She put other’s needs always before her own. Her joys of life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would always encourage and cheer us on. She believed in us even when we did not believe in ourselves. She was always a giver, never a taker.

She taught and showed us the meaning of it is more blessed to give than to receive. She was like a mother to her grandchildren; she treated them like her own.

She was a woman of strong faith who taught us right from wrong. She taught us about Jesus and his love. She taught us we did not need money or the finer things in life for those things would not bring happiness. She said happiness is what is created in one's heart. She taught we didn’t have to be perfect and loved us unconditionally. She taught us what true love was but never gave a second thought to telling us if we were doing wrong. She always spoke her mind.

She taught us to stand up for what we believed and it didn’t matter even if that meant we would be standing alone. She would always say choose your friends wisely and remember in doing so that quality is more important than quantity.

Reberta was a simple woman and enjoyed the simple things in life like knitting, planting flowers, camping and going to her grandchildren's school functions and events. She loved celebrations, weddings, birthdays and graduations.

She will always be remembered for her genuine love and concern for others. She was so giving and selfless. She worked in the Church for many years and gave to the less fortunate. She worked hard in life to always make sure others were taken care of. She was a factory worker, a secretary, and worked in the Church school. The job she cherished most of all was being a mother.

She would want us to remember her and how she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How he loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would want us to remember to love each other unconditionally for life truly is short and we are not promised tomorrow. She would want us to know that most of all, she loved.