Stephanie Owen Fowlkes, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023, after an extended illness. She was a descendant of early Tennesseans who settled and helped shape our state. She will be remembered for her whit, outspokenness, and as a friend to animals.
Stephanie was born in Nashville on June 7th, 1950 to the late Delia Anne Tolliver Owen and William Hunter Owen. She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Franklin Fowlkes III.
Stephanie is survived by her husband of 40 years, Joseph Franklin Fowlkes Jr; by her daughters Carrie Fowlkes Brindley (Bryan Brindley) and Catherine Lankford Fowlkes (Nicholas Bean). She is also survived by grandchildren Scarlett June Fowlkes, Alice Opal Fowlkes and their mother, Tammie Fowlkes.
Stephanie graduated the Harpeth Hall School in Nashville and earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and master’s degree in English at the University of Mississippi. After graduating, she pursed a career in secondary education where she was a guidance counselor and English teacher. During the 1990’s, Stephanie was a freelance journalist for the Tennessean newspaper. She covered notable events that drew national attention to the Giles County area.
She moved to Giles County over 40 years ago and made her home at the farm she named — Hunter’s Point — in the Brick Church Community. In Brick Church, she married her husband, raised her three children, bred a world-renowned line of Jack Russell Terriers, and continued her passion for Fox Hunting.
Passionate about supporting her community, she hosted and chaired events benefiting Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and Giles County Historical Society. She wrote the inscription for the Giles County Bicentennial monument that can be found on the courthouse lawn.
A private celebration of life will be determined by her family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Tennessee Children’s Home (P.O. Box 10, Spring Hill, TN 37174) and the Giles County Public Library (122 South Second St. Pulaski, TN 38478).
Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements for Stephanie Owen Fowlkes.
