Herbert "Herb" Owen

Herbert (Herb) Taylor Owen, 74, of Birmingham, AL, went home to be with his Lord on April 30, 2022.

Herb was born on May 30, 1947 in Richmond, VA, and attended Varina High School, graduating in 1965. He then attended Bob Jones University, and received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.

While serving as the children’s pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, he met and married Marilyn Morrison, a 6th grade teacher at the church’s Christian school. Marilyn has been a loving wife, a devoted mother to their sons, and his faithful partner in ministry for 43 years.

Herb served as a children’s pastor, camp director, and children’s choir director at several churches throughout his life, including Fellowship Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, Harvest Baptist Church in Sandston, VA, Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA, Shades Mountain Independent Church (now Shades Mountain Community Church) in Hoover, AL, The Chapel in Akron , Ohio, and Cherrydale Baptist Church in Arlington, VA.

In addition to children’s ministry, at times he also taught at Liberty University and Southeastern Bible College, and served as the principal of Fellowship Baptist Christian School.

He was preceded in death by his father Willard Taylor Owen, his mother Alice Lee Ford, and his son Timothy Wayne Owen.

He is survived by his loving wife Marilyn Esther Morrison Owen, son Jonathan Taylor Owen (Kristin), grandchildren Taylor Owen, River Jane Owen, Willow Owen, Oliver Owen, and a lifetime of children he devoted his life and ministry to.

Herb was the first ordained Children’s Pastor in America, and served in children’s ministry for 57 years.

With a large vision for the value God places on children, while serving as a children’s pastor, a summer camp director, and a children’s choir director, he also trained parents and pastors, spoke nationally, wrote teaching curriculum, and led mission trips, all for children.

He published many books, musicals, songs, and Bible studies, many of which are available to view at herbowen.com.

He loved music, and his family, and the impact of his life and ministry will not be known this side of Heaven.

A Celebration of Life Reception will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Shades Mountain Community Church, 2281 Old Tyler Road, Hoover, AL 35226. The reception will be in the “Garage”, the large meeting room for kid’s ministry that Herb designed over 20 years ago. Herb directed Kids Church and Camp Straight Street for many years in the room.

Herb Owen was a child of God, a kid at heart, and lived his Savior’s words: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4 (ESV)