Jerry would like for everyone to know that his work here is done! It started on March 22, 1955, when he was born to Willie Roy and Addie Mae Owens in Brownsville, TN. He graduated from Haywood High school and soon after, moved to Saginaw, MI where he resided until the date of his death, August 20, 2021. He had a zest for life and lived it on his own terms. Jerry was known for his conversational savvy and witty comebacks. Being an over the road truck driver/owner, he traveled all over the contiguous United States. He could direct you wherever you wanted to go without even looking at his atlas and could get you right down to the exit number! He knew these highways like the back of his hand!
In October 2003, he married his longtime sweetheart Pam Coleman, who survives him. Jerry also leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Addie Mae Owen, Saginaw, MI; 4 children, Andrea RayVonne (Jamie) Coleman, Saginaw, MI, Latonya Ray, Ripley, TN, Jerry (Lakeisha) Coleman, Saginaw, MI, and Taurean “Toe” Carter, Saginaw, MI; 4 grandchildren, RaSean Coleman, Saginaw, MI, Peter Glass, Chattanooga, TN, RaShonda Coleman, Ypsilanti, MI and Jamiah McClendon, Saginaw, MI; sister, Betty Chappell, Goldvein, VA, brothers, James (Kathy) Owens, Ronald Owens, Saginaw, MI, Anthony Owens, Danville, IL, and Daniel (Barbara) Owens, Shiloh, IL; aunt, Josephine Adams, Brownsville, TN, uncles, LZ (Emma) Taylor, Alfred Lee (Ora Lee) and Earl (Mae) Taylor, Chicago, IL; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Owen, Saginaw, MI, Thyra McFadden, Las Vegas, NV, Rose Marie Coleman, Saginaw, MI, and Margaret Carter, Atlanta, GA; brothers-in-law, Richard Huell, Winona, MS, Granville Coleman, Saginaw, MI and Myron Coleman, Tampa, FL. Jerry leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He loved his family and friends and was always there to support them, regardless of the occasion. His presence will be greatly missed by all.
Preceding him in death were his father Willie Roy Owens, brother, Willie D Owen, sisters, Bertha Owens, Callie Taylor and Gloria “Bonnie” Culpepper, mother and father-in-law, Granville and Willie Mae Coleman, uncles, Reverend Arthur Taylor, Uncle Moe; brothers-in-law, Thayer “T” Coleman and Albert Chappell; sister-in-law, Myra Kay Coleman; nephews, Edward Earl Taylor, and Kevin Chappell; great-nephew, Tamaris “TJ” Steward; great-nieces Tonquinisha “NeNe” McKinley and Tamarea Steward and numerous other relatives.
The family would like to express special thanks to Covenant Neuro ICU staff and Dr. Esteitie who provided extraordinary and compassionate care for Jerry in his final days.
Jerry received the call, an offer he couldn’t refuse, for an appointment from which he wouldn’t be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign on bonus - a reunion with family and friends he has not seen in a mighty long time! Farewell Jerry, until we meet again, in his famous words “In a minute!”
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