PINE BLUFF — Local artist, Barbara Jean Brewster Owen,
94, passed away quietly at her home on August 19, 2021. She was born October 27, 1926 in Pine Bluff, daughter of the late Evelyn Hightower Brewster and A. E. Brewster.
Barbara married Wayne L. Owen on March 2, 1946, when he returned home after serving as a Marine in the South Pacific. They shared 67 years together, operating Owen Frozen Food for 44 years.
In 1979, Barbara took her first art lesson. She studied with Reggie Powell, Terrance Corbin, Betty Dortch, the Degas Pastel Society of New Orleans and Carol Katchen. She was a member of the Brush and Palette Guild, later the Pine Bluff Art League. Her favorite mediums were soft pastel and oil, and later pencil and charcoal. Her paintings have been accepted in several juried shows: Soccer Moments: Italia ‘90’, Milan Italy, First and Second Show of the Pastel Society of the Southwest in Dallas, Waters of the Delta, and the Irene Rosenzweig Bicentennial Exhibition. Her paintings hang in Japan, Germany and France as well as across the US and locally, especially in her children and grandchildren’s homes. She taught beginning painting to many children and adults. She said, “Painting opened up a whole new world for not only me but for my family and close friends, we began “seeing” things, instead of just looking at them.”
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and an infant great-granddaughter.
Survivors include her three children, Wayne L. Owen (Mellie Jo) of Monticello, Linda McNulty (Ted) of Sherrill, and Barbara Ann Hollis (Bob) of Pine Bluff; her grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as “mean ol’ Memaw”: Ted McNulty, Jr. (Amy), Owen McNulty (Shannon), Shawn McNulty (Molly), Kelly McNulty (Tabitha), Chris McNulty (Molly), Trey Carter (Hannah), Jason Owen (Sam), Sarah Owen Moore, Sally Beebe (Ryan), Carrie Hollis, Ruth Hollis; and 22 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Brigadier General Albert E. Brewster, U.S. Marine Corps (retired) (Suzanne); her sister-in-law, Patricia King; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express our appreciation to her caregivers Vivian Meeks, Margaret Robinson, Marilyn Taggart and Girtha Adway. A special thank you to her physician, Dr. Larissa Kachowski. The family is extremely grateful for their care and attention.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 23 at 10 a.m. at Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. Masks will be required by all attendees. Memorials may be sent to the Pine Bluff Art League (211 W. 3rd, Donald W. Reynolds Bldg, PB 71601), Lakeside United Methodist Church (1500 S. Olive, PB 71603) or a charity of your choice. Online register: www.RalphRobinsonandSon.com