On July 12, 2024, our beloved Frances Carol Capehart Owens, quietly slipped away into the arms of Jesus and whispered “I fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7.
Frances was born on November 1, 1951, to John Henry & Dorothy Capehart in Halifax, NC. The family eventually relocated and settled in the Grove area of Williamsburg Virginia where she grew up with her siblings – John, Bernadette, Jackie, and Sheryl. Frances was the big sister with a big heart. She positively contributed to her siblings and community even as a youth and continued throughout her years. Frances attended & graduated from James Blair High School. She was chosen to represent as a Debutante in her teenage years. During her youth days, she met and eventually married Edward G. Clemons. This union was blessed with a son Anthony C. Clemons. They were a military family that traveled from Florida to Japan and back to the United States. Frances would eventually settle in Newport News, Virginia.
Frances attended William & Mary College and moved on to work for over 30 years with C&P Telephone Company which would later in years become Verizon. Frances proudly served for a number of years as a union officer in multiple positions. In 1980, she married Gary Randall and enjoyed ten years with him, and she would later in life marry Rufus Owens. Over the years, Frances attended local churches in Newport News and Williamsburg. She was a woman of faith and prayer and humbly served in different positions. She was most proud serving under the leadership of her son at Resurrection House International Ministries. There, Frances served as Mother of the Church, a Minister in Training, and as the Intercessory Prayer Ministry Team Lead. Frances taught and ministered the word with power and great conviction, and also did so at the Seeking Center. She was a woman full of wisdom and loved to share with anyone she met. Her hugs were loving and often included a word of prayer. Frances believed in the power of prayer and was also faithfully a part of The Keys for Change Prayer Ministry with Pastor Jay Harrison. She would lastly serve at Living Faith Christian Center under the leadership of Pastors Salvatore & Matisha Dentu. There she was a Minister in Training and served on the hospitality and USDA ministry, the prayer team, and was also the ministry lead over the usher ministry, where she also started a junior usher’s ministry.
Frances was a wise and kind person with a generous heart. She loved her family and friends relentlessly. She was a proud and dotting grandmother who immensely enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters. She was also a caring and giving godmother, sister, aunt, niece, and cousin who believed in family and loved spending time with all. “Ma Frances”, as she was also affectionately known, was giving with her time and treasure. She was known to open her heart to many that she would add to her life as her “adoptive children and grandchildren.” There are many stories known and unknown of her many acts of kindness and generosity. She was truly loved and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents John Henry & Dorothy Capehart; and her brother John “Buttons” Capehart. She leaves loving and lasting memories with her son and daughter-in-love Anthony and Sabrina Clemons; granddaughters, Rachel and Sarah Clemons; godchildren, April Sharpe and Gregory Capehart; sisters, Bernadette Capehart, Jackie Tyson (Ernest), and Sheryl Morse (William); sister-in-law Darlin Dixon; nieces, Joi, Toi, Krysten, Kayla, and Alannie; nephews, John Jr, Shawn, Jarod, Darryl(DJ), Gregory, Tre’shon, and Elgin; great-nieces, Jade, Nadia, Ava, Riley, Zoey, and Camie; great-nephews, Javion and Isaiah; aunt and uncles, Roberta Joshua(Israel), Dillion Johnson (Christine), Thomas Johnson, Betty Johnson, and Charles Capehart (Mary); and a host of special cousins, special friends, other relatives, and friends.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Little Zion Baptist Church.
