Laura Irene Fleming Owens

Laura Irene Fleming Owens "Irene" passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family, after an extended illness.

Irene lived a life deeply rooted in faith and family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Irene was a devoted member of Golightly United Methodist Church for over 80 years. There, she served as a Sunday School teacher for over 40 years, sang in the choir for over 60 years, and held many positions in the church.

Irene was an excellent cook. She loved gardening, canning, reading her Bible, and spending time with family and friends. She would often spontaneously sing while going about her day. Irene had a unique perspective on the world, a wonderful sense of humor, and a contagious laugh. Lovingly known by many, even beyond her family, as “Nana” or “Aunt Irene,” she had a way of making everyone feel welcome. She delighted in her home being a place for children to laugh and play.

Family was at the very heart of Irene’s life, and she often prayed for even extended family members by name. She graduated with honors from Pauline High School. She was the first in her family to attend college and received an associate’s degree from Spartanburg Methodist College. She enjoyed literature, recited poems, and wrote many heartfelt letters and cards.

Above all, Irene will be remembered for her steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a faith she lived openly and passed down through generations. Her family will carry with them the prayers she taught her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and her devotion to the Lord. She remembered the old hymns and sang them with her family throughout the days of her life.

She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 74 years, Claude William Owens; children, Claude Perry Owens (Deborah), Dr. Laurina Owens Williams (Dennis), Thaddeus Philip Owens (Pamela, predeceased); grandchildren, Dennis Cleveland Owens Williams (April), Philip Chad Owens, Laurina Lola Rose Downs (Warren), and Ethan Bradley Owens; and great-grandchildren, Carly Williams, Logan Williams, Preston Owens, Iris Mae Downs, Greysen Jones, Chloe Williams, and Cooper Owens. Irene is also survived by her siblings, Myrtle Fleming Wyatt, Rev. Larry Fleming, and Cecil Fleming; and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was predeceased by her father, Miles Roland Fleming, Sr.; mother, Lola Mae Fleming; and siblings, Frances Lenora Mae Fleming, Miles Albert Fleming, Roland David Fleming, and Miles Roland Fleming, Jr.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the caring staff of Agape Hospice of Spartanburg; Nurse Latasha Jones; her caregivers, Ethan Bradley Owens, Chad Owens, and Tammy Smith; and all her family and friends who helped during this time of need.

The pallbearers for Irene’s funeral are Dennis C. Williams, Chad Owens, Ethan Bradley Owens, Logan Williams, Preston Owens, and Warren Downs.

Visitation will be 11:30 a.m.- 12:15 pm on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at J.M. Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory, 690 Southport Road, Roebuck, SC 29376. Funeral services will follow at 12:30 pm in the chapel, conducted by Rev. Larry Fleming and Rev. William Rochester. Burial will immediately follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

In memory of Irene, contributions may be made to Golightly United Methodist Church, 2000 Highway 56, Spartanburg, SC 29302.