Barbara Ann Rowell, 68, of Bonaire, died on August 7, 2017 at the Heart of Georgia inpatient hospice in Perry, Georgia. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years earlier which went into remission. It returned three and a half months ago metastasized in her skeletal system.
She was born in Jacksonville Florida on January 20, 1949, to the late Harvey Pete and Katherine Galbreath Owens. She is survived by her husband Gary and their son Matthew, her sisters Kathy Hanes and Karen Lusk Smith, and her brother Harvey Pete Owens, Jr., along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Jo Ann Owens Nevin and husband Bill Nevin, and her sister Susan Margaret Owens Sims.
Barbara received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and her master’s degree from American University. She was a federal civil servant with expertise primarily in cost analysis and personnel for 34 years, rising from a GS-3 clerk typist to a GS-14 division chief. Among her notable achievements was being recognized for setting up the best Federally Employed Women’s program in the Air Force in 1981, being instrumental in accomplishing the numerous administrative tasks concomitant with setting up seven ground launched cruise missile wings in Europe in the mid-1980s, and establishing a federal internship program between Anderson Air Force Base and the US territory of Guam. She was a passionate member of Toastmasters International for more than 20 years, serving in several leadership roles in Washington, DC.
Barbara retired from federal service in 2007, then embarked on her dream career – working with animals. She began by working with local shelters helping animals find homes, then became a dog trainer with PetSmart. She ultimately formed her own business training dogs and became well recognized in the local community. She devoted one morning a week to Warner Robins Animal Control, training shelter dogs to make them more adoptable. Her favorite personal dog was Molly, a Weimaraner, who was her demonstration dog. Her personal pets included a silver Manx cat, a 26 toed polydactyl black cat, a Siberian forest cat, and a 14-year-old leopard gecko.
Barbara’s philosophy of life was about learning and enjoying every day, with one of her goals being to learn something new with each new morning. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening, listening to music, and getting to know people and animals.

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