Marie Ellis Owens

Marie Ellis Owens, age 76, of Forest City, passed away Monday, October 26, 2026 at Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation in Rutherfordton.

Marie was born Tuesday, March 14, 1950 in York County, SC to the late Melvin Ellis and Noraleen Plyler Smith. She attended Travis High School in Austin, Texas and was a graduate of Ft. Mill High School, home of the Yellow Jackets, in 1968. She then attended Baptist Bible College Springfield, Missouri and North Greenville University. She became the managing teller at Northwestern Bank which later transitioned to Wells Fargo Bank. Her final career move involved serving as the Safety Manager for the SCDOT for forty years. She traveled extensively and made commercials for the National Safety Council. Marie was a devoted and longtime member of Alexander Missionary Methodist Church where she was the Church Auditor, President of the Ladies Circle and a church delegate for the Missionary Methodist Conference. Her illustrious life included horseback riding, training horses, skydiving, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, crafts and woodworking.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband forty years, Robert “Bob” W. Owens and brother, Dr. Dennis Ellis.

Those left to honor her legacy include her son, Kevin Owens of Forest City; daughter, Renee Ruff (Pastor Michael Ruff) of Forest City; sister-in-law, Katya Ellis of Madisonville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Kaitlin Owens, Austin Ruff (Bryanna), Kassidy Owens, Gavin Ruff and a number of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 30th at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery with Reverend Michael Ruff officiating.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Alexander Missionary Methodist Church, 145 Apache Trail, Forest City, NC 28043.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.

An online guest registry is available at www.harrlesonfuneralhome.com