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Ownbey, Wilburn "Buddy" (Cleveland)

  • Friday, November 20, 2020
Wilburn "Buddy" Ownbey
Wilburn "Buddy" Ownbey

Wilburn "Buddy" Ownbey, age 69, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, left his earthly home on Tuesday night, November 17, 2020 at Parkridge hospital in Chattanooga from heart surgery complications.

Buddy, as he was affectionately known, was born in Cleveland and he was the son of the late Myrtle Cavett Ownbey and Wilburn Ownbey. His sister, Sue Dixon and his brothers, Joe and Ronnie Ownbey also preceded him in death.

Buddy worked for Cleveland Chair as an upholsterer with over 30 years of service. He also worked for Rubber Maid for a time. He lived life to the fullest, especially visiting and horse trading with his buddies. Buddy was a Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Banther Ownbey of Cleveland; daughters, Janet Ownbey and Melissa Banther Martinez and her husband Eddie; sons, John Ownbey and his wife Arianna and Franklin Banther and his wife Brenda; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; special grandson, Derek Banther who helped care for him and take him to his many appointments and was his "I got your back Pap" friend; sisters, Yvonne Cox, Jackie Castellow and her husband Ralph and Sandy King; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted on Saturday, November 21, at 1 p.m. at the Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services Wildwood Chapel with Reverend Jim Hibbard officiating. Interment will follow in the Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery with Mitchell Fink, Blake Scott, Eddie Martinez, Jay Dowdy, Jim Stroud and Adam Dixon serving as casket bearers.

The family will receive friends from 10: a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday at the Jim Rush Funeral Homes Wildwood Chapel who has charge of the arrangements.

You may share your condolences and your memories with Buddy's family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.



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