Juanita Marguerite Kemper Owens, age 81, of El Dorado Springs formerly of Eldon, died Thursday, December 20, 2007, at the Miller County Care and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Chilhowee on September 17, 1926, daughter of Ernest and Beulah (Crider) Young. On April 15, 1950, in Harrisonville, she was married to Leonard Kemper, who preceded her in death in 1997. On November 14, 2004, in Brumley, she was married to James Owens, Sr., who survives at the home.

She retired from McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California, where she worked in communications for 30 years. She was a member of Ulman Baptist Church.

Other survivors include two sons, Donald Kemper and wife Bobby Jo of Iberia, and David Carroll and wife Cindy of the state of California; one daughter, Barbara Carroll Hansard and husband Marvin (deceased) of Clarkdale, Georgia; one brother, Larry Young and wife Josie of Roscoe; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Jerry Kelly in 1994; one sister, Beth Myers; and three brothers, Ewell Young, Donald Young, and Howard Young.

The body will be cremated under the direction of Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Hickory Point Cemetery near Iberia.