Obituary of Yoneko Owan Dailey

Yoneko Owan Dailey, 84, of Columbia, widow of Leon Elliott Dailey, passed away on May 27, 2020 at Prisma Baptist Parkridge Hospital.

Born February 10, 1936 in Nakajin, Okinawa, Japan, she was the daughter of the late Chong Owan and Mitzu Yuri Owan. The youngest of seven children, 4 sisters and 2 brothers, Yoneko was a survivor of the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. Their family was ousted out of their cave by the Japanese troops. They moved into another cave with two other families. They survived on frogs and yams during the war hence there were no agricultural farming. When the US Marines landed in northern Okinawa, they took over their farm and made it their headquarters. Upon leaving, the Marines burned down the farm and in the process of trying to save the farm her father, Chong Owan, was shot and passed away 4 days later from his injuries. Yoneko was also very proud to have participated on the Japanese Olympic Team as an alternate on the 4X100 Relay Track and Field Team. After marrying her husband, who was in the US Navy, they lived in the United States, as well as other countries such as Athens, Greece (she could speak Greek fluently) and Kenitra, Morocco.  Yoneko spent her time in the home caring for their children. Yoneko was a member of Christian Life Church in Columbia, where she was very involved in many church activities. Christian Life Church was everything to her. Most of all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister who instilled the love of family to everyone she met.

Yoneko is survived by three sons, Lloyd Dailey of Columbia, Lorin Dailey (Jocelyn) of Jersey City, NJ and Noribo Owan (Keiko) of Okinawa, Japan; two daughters, Lolita Redmon of Okinawa, Japan and Daffney Darlene LeBlanc of New Orleans, LA; seven grandchildren, Nanni Diaz, Lawrence Dailey, Lori Dailey, Mary Bolton, Michael Whipkey, Nathan LeBlanc and Larisa Dailey; two twin sisters Yukie Redmon, her closest, and Sizeko Owan, a national celebrity entertainer, both of Okinawa, Japan and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family.

A big thank you to her longtime doctor, Dr. Allen Brett from USC Internal Medicine and the staff at Irmo Fresenius Dialysis Care, and also her best friend and next door neighbor, Pat Esterline.

A private graveside service will be held on Monday, June 1, 2020 at Elmwood Cemetery with entombment following the service. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing, as Elmwood Cemetery abides by the City of Columbia guidelines. Also please refrain from handshakes and hugging. Elbow bumping is allowed.

The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials please do so to Christian Life Church, 2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210.

Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the Dailey Family.