Esther Mozell Cotten Owens, 93, of Owens Street, transitioned Saturday, July 25, 2026 at her residence. She was born in Granville County to the late George and Carrie Smith Cotten.

She is survived by three children: Phyllis Williams (Nelson) of Oxford, Richard Carl Owens (Carolyn) of Stovall, and Esther Odessa Smith of Oxford; three sisters: Narbara Williams and Vivian Herndon of Greensboro and Judith Burwell of Oxford; three grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am, Thursday, July 30 at First Baptist Church of Stovall. Interment will follow in Meadowview Memorial Park. Viewing will be at the church one hour prior to the service.

She was preceded in death by her father; mother; two brothers, George "Bud" Cotten and James Toney Cotten; three sisters, Ethel B. Garnett, Barbara C. Smith, and Margie C. Hunt; her son, David Ricardo Owens; and grandson, Derrick Ramone Smith Sr.