Hobert Owens

Hobert Owens (Dec. 18, 1922 – Aug. 11, 1944) was a soldier from Smokey Junction killed in France during World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born Dec. 18, 1922, at Smokey Junction, Hobert Owens was the son of Dilmon Owens (1901-1988) and Talitha Lowe (1906-1985). His mother was a second-great-granddaughter of Mikel Low, believed to be the first settler of Scott County. The Owens family also has a long history in eastern Scott County, dating back several generations in the Stanley Creek area near Buffalo, before his father married his mother and moved to Smokey Creek.

Hobert’s siblings included Murphy Owens (1921-1924), Dilmon Owens Jr. (1924-1973), Alma Shoopman (1926-2016), Meredith H. Owens (1928-1969), Clifton Jay Owens (1930-1995), Thelma Mason (1938-2001) and Odis Marvyn Owens (1940-2024). Dilmon Owens also served in World War II, in the U.S. Navy. Clifton Owens served in the Korean War, in the U.S. Army. Odis Owens served 20 years in the U.S. Army.

When Hobert registered for the draft in 1941, he was employed by Sam Moore in Clinchmoore, Tenn.

World War II

Pvt. Owens enlisted in the U.S. Army on Jan. 13, 1943 and was assigned to the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. He served in the European theater of World War II.

He was killed on Aug. 11, 1944, while serving in France.

Aftermath

Pvt. Owens’ body was returned to Scott County in July 1948. A funeral was held on July 18, 1948, and was said to be the most-attended funeral in Smokey Junction’s history. He was buried at Riverview Cemetery.

He received the Purple Heart award. He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.