Ms. LaZena Louise Owens

Floral tributes can be sent to the funeral home and will be accepted on Monday, August 24, 2020 and Tuesday, August 25, 2020. Address 17600 Plymouth Rd. Detroit, MI 48227 313.838.9770 In Loving Memroy Of; We knew her as “Zena”, the gentle lioness with a fierce constitution whose life’s wingspan embraced us giving out Endless Love. The youngest child of Dakota and Zeecozy Owens, Zena was a proud member of a small but extended family that cherished her deeply and watched her become a courageous and gifted daughter, sister, auntie, niece, neighbor, friend, matchmaker, and fearless child of the King. Zena’s footprints took her around her beloved city of Detroit, greeting folk on the street, at shelters, the kitchen table or back porch, a darkened bus stop, and even the board room where she might be heard saying, “‘What up Doe?’”, “Let me holla at you.” Because of her non-judgmental nature and willingness to help anybody, she never encountered a stranger, only met you wherever you were at the time. She knew her protection came from on high, so she walked with confidence and humility through Grace and Mercy and never had to question Is My Living in Vain. Graduating from Thomas M. Cooley High School (1980), Zena later matriculated at Marygrove College in Detroit, MI. Her continuous technical and computer trainings in Information Technology (IT) enabled her to achieve Networking certifications and proficiencies throughout her work career as a certified IT business professional. Additionally she was a self-learner who kept abreast of world events, history, politics, culture, arts, and sports. She engaged in daily conversations and debates from A-Z using The Third Eye with good Vibrations. However, the Motown maven’s absolute passion was in music and she was definitely a connoisseur of all genres, forms and styles of great sounds that expressed life. Zena was a constant fixture in family & friends centered events and activities. She never missed a chance to see the Detroit Youth Choir perform, audition or tour; engage in competitive games of Bid Whist; support the Pistons, Lions, Tigers, and the University of Michigan sporting events. Zena showed her love for the Lord in many ways and was a member of Victory Community Church and associate of Henderson United Methodist Church, Detroit, MI where her faithful support in ministry and community was always welcomed. She clung to Matthew 5: 1-48, the Lord’s Prayer, and stood on Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” for her daily bread. The impact she left on others can be felt like a tidal wave. Her medical caregiver remarked how “special” she was and how she brought joy to every appointment as recently as a week before she took her final flight to glory. She was especially devoted to young people, her nieces, nephews, and her born day angel (who always said, “It’s Perfect Baby”), and an endearing lifelong friend, Vincent Bridges, who echoed, “Treat Her Like a Lady.” In the last season of her life, Zena served as an Emergency Shelter Coordinator at Creating Opportunities to Succeed (COTS) where 24-hour services are provided for women, children, and the homeless population in the city. She often stepped up to be available on holidays, weekends, and for short-staffed shifts to ensure that the most vulnerable and needy would not be neglected. Her devotion and generous spirit of helping others has been a testament of her strong character, commitment, and straight-no-chaser way of life. Because she said, I Won’t Complain, and Someday We’ll All Be Free we can now say Deuces Queen, You Got the Victory!

Ms. LaZena Louise Owens

August 2, 1962 - August 14, 2020