Thursday, March 28, 2024

Motown’s Edna Anderson-Owens Remembered

Motown's Edna Anderson-Owens remembered (August 5, 1938- June 13, 2015)
Motown’s Edna Anderson-Owens remembered (Aug. 5, 1938- June 13, 2015)

*The Electronic Urban Report at EURweb notes the passing of Motown’s Edna Vernelle Anderson-Owens, who quietly parted this life on Saturday, June 13th  2015 in Los Angeles.

The dazzling Mrs. Anderson-Owens started at Motown in 1970 in the Publicity and Community Relations department, and then advanced to being Berry Gordy’s assistant; a position that she retained for 45 stellar years.  Edna’s astute business savvy and civic responsibility was such an asset to Mr. Gordy that she became his close confidante and Co-CEO/Co-Chairman of TGC Management, LLC (a Gordy owned, intellectual property company).

Edna was born in Bluefield, West Virginia on August 5, 1938 to Amanda H. and John Douglas Anderson. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Wilberforce University/ Central State College, an HBCU that is now Central State University in Xenia, Ohio.

Motown founder Berry Gordy and the late Edna Anderson-Owens, Co-CEO/Co-Chairman of TGC Management, LLC
Motown founder Berry Gordy and the late Edna Anderson-Owens, a long time assistant to Mr. Gordy and Co-CEO/Co-Chairman of TGC Management, LLC.

At Motown, Edna held many titles while moving up the ranks and she consistently held the Motown vision at heart, which was to make music for all people.  She and Berry Gordy remained close up to the time of her passing.

Charles Randolph Wright, director of Berry Gordy’s musical story of Motown, said it best: “The only light in this darkness right now is that Edna shines brightly eight times a week in Motown the Musical.”

Yes, Edna’s soulful, dynamic and loving presence has been artistically captivated in Motown The Musical; a portrayal that Edna had the great fortune of witnessing many times as Mr. Gordy’s version of the Motown story finally made it’s way to the stage on his terms, revealing some of his most valuable players behind the scenes.  Edna was certainly a MVP and an irreplaceable part of Motown’s history .

In 2000, Edna was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to the board of the California Science Center in Los Angeles for two consecutive terms, serving as Chairman of the Board in 2006 and 2007.  Near the end of her term in 2009, she was again appointed to the board by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and she was recently appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve another four-year term.

Edna Anderson-Owens is survived by her husband Curtis Owens & son, as well as a host of loving friends, family and entertainment industry associates.

Services will be held privately.  In lieu of flowers, donations (tax deductible) may be made to either of the following non-profit organizations in honor of Edna Anderson-Owens:

Sabriya’s Castle of Fun Foundation
Att: Steve Brown
3800 South Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90008

Debbie Allen Dance Academy
3791 Santa Rosalia Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90008

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