Manning Kennedy Owen

AIKEN - Manning K. Owen, retired men’s clothier, Rotarian and world traveler, died on May 21 in Aiken, S.C. He was 97. Owen was born in Orangeburg, S.C. on Sept. 8, 1916. The son of Mary Alice Kennedy and John B. Owen, he graduated from Newberry College in 1938. Owen served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. The young officer was stationed in New Delhi, India where he served on the American Military Petroleum Committee. This military team oversaw all requests for petroleum products used in the war effort including fueling ocean tankers, fighter aircraft and armored infantry. Owen received a Bronze Star Medal for his contributions. In 1946 after Owen returned to Aiken, he launched a men’s clothing store on Main Street. The store was known for its selection and personal service for more than three decades, before its sale to Cullums, an upscale department store in Augusta, Ga. Owen and his late wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Townes Owen, shared a mutual passion for travel and enjoyed wonderful trips during their retirement years. He also engaged in extensive civic, charitable and church endeavors included serving with the Aiken area chapter of the American Red Cross as well as Rotary International. A longtime member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken, Owen was a co-leader of the Backsliders Sunday School class. Owen is survived by Jeanne Townes (the late Michael Lloyd Townes) of Aiken, S.C.; George Anderson Townes III and his wife Allene of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Mary Elizabeth Townes Greene of Aiken, S.C.; Paul Bernard Townes of Aiken, S.C.; Dorothy Townes Lineberger and her husband Steve of Charlotte, N.C.; Alice Broderick of Beaufort, S.C.; numerous great and great-great grand nephews and grandnieces; and lifelong friend Lionel Smith, Aiken, S.C. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his sister Mary, and his brother John. The family will receive guests at 1 p.m., Friday, at the Shellhouse Funeral Home chapel, 924 Hayne Street, Aiken, S.C. Funeral will follow at 2p.m WITH THE Reverend Dr. George K. Howle officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Johns United Methodist Church, 104 Newberry St. NW, Aiken, S.C. 29801, or Regency Hospice, 105 Summerwood Way, Aiken, S.C. 29803. The family would like to thank the staff of Shadow Oaks Assisted Living for their compassionate and loving care for Mr. Owen over the many years of his residence. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.shellhousefuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Manning Kennedy Owen, please visit our flower store.