Jonesboro, Arkansas – Ben E. Owens Sr., the longtime president and chief executive officer of St. Bernards Medical Center, has died at the age of 92, marking the end of a life deeply tied to the growth of healthcare in northeast Arkansas.
Owens passed away on June 27. His death has prompted reflections across the community, particularly among those who worked with him during his decades of leadership at one of the region’s largest medical institutions.
Public visitation is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on June 30 at Gregg-Langford-Bookout Funeral Home in Jonesboro, located at 300 W. Matthews Ave. His funeral service will be held the following morning at 10 a.m. on July 1 at First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, 801 S. Main St. Family members have also indicated that flowers may be sent through McNabb Funeral Homes.
Owens’ legacy at St. Bernards spans an extraordinary 38 years. He began leading the hospital in 1972, a time when it was significantly smaller in scale and resources. Over the course of his leadership, the facility expanded from a 252-bed community hospital into a 400-plus-bed medical center, becoming a key provider of specialized care in the region.
His vision focused on long-term growth and improving access to healthcare services for families across northeast Arkansas. That approach shaped not only the hospital’s expansion but also its role as a central institution in Jonesboro’s development.
Reflecting on his service years, Owens once said, “I’ve been able to serve the community and hopefully give some guidance and direction in the development of health services in Northeast Arkansas. And that’s all,” Owens said on his service.
Beyond his work at St. Bernards, Owens was active in several healthcare and civic organizations. He served as president and chairman of the Greater Jonesboro Area Chamber of Commerce and played a key role in helping establish Jonesboro Unlimited, an organization focused on economic development in the region.
His influence extended beyond healthcare administration into broader community growth, where he became known for his steady leadership and long-term planning. Many in Jonesboro credit his efforts with helping shape both the medical infrastructure and economic direction of the area.
St. Bernards Healthcare honored him in a public statement following his death, reflecting on his decades of service and lasting impact. “We’re beyond grateful for Mr. Ben Owens, Sr., the extraordinary life he lived and the legacy he entrusted. St. Bernards and the community around us are his enduring works, and we carry them in his honor,” St. Bernards Healthcare said in a Facebook post.
As the community prepares to say its final goodbyes, Owens is being remembered not only as a hospital leader but as a figure whose work helped define modern healthcare in northeast Arkansas.
