Raymond Eugene Ownsby

Raymond Eugene Ownsby, age 90 of Maryville, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2016, at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, Tennessee after a brief illness. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in the Pacific during World War II. Following the war, he began a career at the Aluminum Company of America in Alcoa, Tennessee and retired after 61 years of service in 2008. In November 1947, he married his one and only childhood sweetheart Thelma Grace Boring, a marriage which lasted 60 years. He was affectionately known as "Spoolie" by his co-workers at ALCOA as he was also the owner of Raymond's Beauty Shop located in the Blount National Bank Building for many years. A spoolie was a hair-curling device made popular in the 50's and still produced today. He achieved the thirty-three degree level in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and was a member of New Providence Lodge #128 and Kerbela Shriners, Knoxville. As a close family friend noted, the world has suffered a great loss of his smile and enthusiasm for life. He was preceded in death by father, Marshall Henry Ownsby, mother Virgie Yearout Ownsby; brothers Fred & J.D. Ownsby, and wife Grace Boring Ownsby. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Lynn Ownsby of Chattanooga; granddaughter, Dianna Ownsby Bender and husband Mark; great granddaughter, Kathleen Grace Bender; brother, Ronald Ownsby and wife Diane, and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank and acknowledge Drs. Werner and Franklin of the East Tennessee Medical Group, and Drs. Philip Hoffman (retired) and Aiswarya Sundaram of Blount Heart Consultants for their outstanding professional medical care and to special friend and caregiver, Betty Livesay. The family would also like to thank the staff of the Coronary Care Unit at Blount Memorial Hospital, especially to Dr. Ramos, Briana Dahl, RN and Jamie French, PA for making his last hours so pleasant & happily memorable in spite of the circumstances. Funeral services will be at 2:00pm, Thursday, June 30, 2016, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Chapel in Maryville with Rev. Rex Everett offciating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00pm, Thursday at the funeral home. As he was an avid gardener, flowers & plants are welcome.