Lavinia "Monte" Montgomery (Buck) Owen, (Mom, Grammie, GIGI), 95, of Kennett, Missouri, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the North Point nursing center in Paola, Kansas. She was born on September 12, 1929, in Senath, Missouri.

Monte was preceded in death by her husband, Cyril Winston Owen, who adored her through their 67 years of marriage. Monte and Cyril were married August 29, 1948, at the Senath Methodist Church. Monte's parents, John Charles and Louise Buck also preceded her in death, along with her brother Tommy Zane Buck and wife, Jessie Fern, and sister-in-law Arlene Brewer and husband, Jack.

Monte is survived by three daughters (The 3 Owen Girls): Julianne (William "Bill") Williamson, Christie Kay (Barney) Greenway and Elizabeth "Liz" Ann (George) Morse; six grandchildren: Lauren Owen (Christopher "Chris") Knudsen, Brett Thomas (Holly) Pu, Elliott Winston (Ellen) Williamson, Emily Patricia Williamson, Spencer Owen (Ashley) Morse and Taylor Katelyn Morse; eight great grandchildren: Cora Christie, Elise Jean and Bradley Steve Knudsen, Jacob Winston and Anna Rose Williamson, McKenna Laine and Maci Ryan Hess and Spencer "Penn" Steve Pu, loving nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Monte and Cyril joined the First Methodist Church of Kennett in 1954. Monte served the Kennett Methodist Church in numerous ways over 71 years, teaching Sunday School, Missionary Society, first female Church Board President, etc. She spent many years supporting the cotton industry beside Cyril, through the Cotton Producers of Missouri, the Grown and Made in the USA program, traveling to cotton meetings and promoting American cotton at local and state fairs and cotton meetings across the nation. She served as chairman and board member for several years of the Delta Children's Home. Another joy in life was her membership in PEO where she provided many interesting and fun programs and enjoyed lifetime friends.

Monte and Cyril were blessed to have a large circle of couple's friends through church, farming, and community attending dances and celebrations of many kinds. They were a wonderful example to us all in marriage, family and life.

The family is very thankful for Ms. Beth, Ms. Mary, Ms. Mary Jo, Mrs. Rebekah and Ms. Vickie who helped mom at home and our Holly and her staff at North Point who provided the care and comfort needed these last few weeks.

A private burial will be held for the family followed by a visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with the Celebration of Life service to follow at 2:30 p.m. at the McDaniel Funeral Home in Kennett on Saturday, August 30, 2025, the Reverend Charles Buck officiating. Honored to serve as pallbearers: Bill Williamson, Barney Greenway, George Morse, Brett Pu, Elliott Williamson and Spencer Morse.

Memorials to the Southeast Food Bank, Sikeston, Missouri, are suggested.

Visitation  will be 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, August 30, 2025, at McDaniel Funeral Home in Kennett. Funeral Services will be 2:30 p.m. at the McDaniel Chapel in Kennett.

McDaniel Funeral Service of Kennett will be in charge of the arrangements.

online condolences may be made at www.mcdanielfuneralservice.com