Nellie Mae Owens, 78, of Hudgins, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Born and raised in Mathews County, Nellie Mae was a home-run hitter and one of the top softball players in high school. She was a founder and lifetime member of the Mathews County Rescue Squad, which is only one example of her generous, caring nature. For many years, Nellie and her husband, Bud, took great pleasure in hosting exchange students from Mexico. She was known as Memaw to many, and everyone was her Suga Pig or Darling. Other interests included cooking, country music, and attending concerts. 

Nellie Mae’s passion in life was nursing. She began her nursing career at Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, and then served as Nursing Supervisor for many years at Rappahannock General Hospital in Kilmarnock. She loved playing practical jokes and was known as the hospital jokester.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Bud” Langley Owens; they were married for 62 years until his passing in late 2017; her son, Langley Owens; stepfather, Howard (Happy) Horsley, and her mother, Pearl, and brother, Jimmy Thomas.

She is survived by her daughter, Pam Harrington (Patrick); grandsons, Clay and Will Harrington, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to say thank you to some wonderful people that took such great care of her over the years: Amanda, Anne, Brittany, Caroline, Lou Ann, Mallory, Olivia, Sarah, and Torrie.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at Mathews Baptist Church at 3:30 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2-3:30 at the church. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109 or to Mathews Baptist Church, P.O. Box 8, Hudgins, Va. 23076.

Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, is assisting the family with arrangements.