Cathy Ann Owen Denton

Cathy Ann Owen Denton, age 76, of Wilsonville, AL, passed away February 6, 2026 at Brookwood Hospital. The wife of Terry Denton, she called several places home: Murray and Paducah, KY; Memphis and Bolivar, TN; and most recently, Wilsonville, AL. Mrs. Denton was the daughter of Hugh and Catherine Owen and was born in Paducah, KY, on December 12, 1949. She was the big sister to Randy Owen and Cindy Owen Wright, a role she cherished dearly. She graduated from Trezevant High School in Memphis in 1967 and attended Memphis State University, studying art. She met her husband in the freshman registration line. According to her, he swept her off her feet by declaring, when she asked where he was from, he was from “Western State.” In her mind, this meant he was from Western Kentucky State University. But he actually jokingly meant the mental hospital in his hometown of Bolivar, TN. That joking nature set the tone for their marriage of almost 55 years. When they started dating, however, her father handed Terry a Bible when he came to pick her up for their first date. Mr. Owen told him to put it between him and his daughter. He wasn’t joking. Terry and Cathy were married February 7, 1971, and would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this year. They have two children, Heather and Chris, who constantly announce they are each their mother’s favorite child. Mrs. Denton spent her early married life working in a hospital admitting department, in Human Resources/insurance at the tannery in Bolivar, and at the family-owned clothing store in Bolivar. She started her teaching career at the age of 40 and taught at Hornsby Elementary School in Hornsby, TN for her entire teaching career. She loved being a HES Bulldog and the kids she taught. While she taught science and social studies, her real passion was seeing the kids make strides in their classwork and in their lives. She always enjoyed running into one of her many “kids” as grown adults and finding out what they had done in life. She walked away from those conversations telling stories about them in the classroom and feeling proud of the adults they had turned out to be. Her own children were the center of her universe. Her daughter, Heather, and her son, Chris, brought her great joy, but her three grandsons and her granddaughter-in-law truly brought her immense joy and pride. She saw her children for who they were, but her grandchildren were perfect—she called them her “bright and shining stars.” Even when she was sick, she could always find someone to tell about her grandchildren. She was so proud of her grandson Denton’s job and how hard he works. She loved telling about Jacob’s education and how smart he is. And she was always impressed with Landon’s dedication to a sport he works so hard at. As for her granddaughter-in-law, Cissy, Mrs. Denton bragged about how compassionate and loving she was toward her. As much as she enjoyed telling others about her own family, she enjoyed hearing about other people’s families as well. Mrs. Denton loved finding out about her caregiver’s families, but she also made it a point to encourage them along the way. Hospital staff confided in her, shared stories of their own lives, and even asked for parenting advice from her. She loved people and was a people watcher—a skill inherited from her mother. Her church membership at Wilsonville Baptist Church meant she met many new friends after she and Terry retired to Wilsonville. While there, she served as a Girls in Action (GA) leader as her health allowed. Previously, during her membership at First Baptist Bolivar, she served as an Acteen leader and a GA leader. Her tea parties were something the GAs and their moms looked forward to each year. She was also active in the Baptist Young Women’s circle and helped start the Acteens group. And, during her membership at First Baptist Murray, KY, she helped start an Acteens group and was active in Baptist Young Women. She believed in giving girls an opportunity to learn leadership skills while they were learning to share Jesus with others. She made it a life long passion to encourage young women to get an education of some sort and understand their role in the Great Commission. Mrs. Denton was a Tennessee Master Gardener and kept a greenhouse while she lived in Tennessee. Once she retired to Wilsonville, she and her grandson Landon potted and repotted all kinds of plants for her back deck. All three grandsons helped plant a rose garden under her very close supervision and encouragement. She was a member of Wilsonville Fine Arts Club and the Do Nothing Club in Bolivar. Both of these social circles brought laughter into Mrs. Denton’s life. Through the Fine Arts Club, Mrs. Denton edited their cookbook and most recently served as Vice President. Mrs. Denton loved her Fine Arts Club sisters and was proud of the work they do in the Wilsonville community. She was also a member of Wilsonville Baptist Church and the Sharon Denton Sunday School class. Members in all three organizations will miss her laughter and friendship. She is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Terry (Wilsonville), her daughter, Heather (Tommy) of Wilsonville, her son Chris of Colorado Springs, CO, grandsons Denton Keller (Cissy) and Landon Keller of Wilsonville, and Jacob Denton of Colorado Springs, CO; her sister, Cindy Wright (Mike) of Nexa, MO, and several nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents and her brother, Randy Owen. She will be missed for her “teacher” voice, love of baking cookies, and her unwavering support and love of each of her family members. Services were held Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Wilsonville Baptist Church in Wilsonville, AL at 3 p.m. with a dessert fellowship for friends and family. Mrs. Denton would enjoy knowing friends had gathered to celebrate her life, eat good dessert and fellowship with her family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests friends and family consider making a gift to the Marti Solomon Endowment through the WMU Foundation in honor of Mrs. Denton’s life well lived. Donations can be made at https://wmufoundation.com/funds/marti-solomon-endowment/. Please sign online condolences at www.boltonfuneralhome.com.

Cathy Ann Owen Denton

December 12, 1949 - February 6, 2026