Shirley Geraldine Sowards
(January 10, 1930 - December 30, 2013)

Shirley Geraldine Sowards, 83 ,of Huntington, WV, widow of Lewis M. Sowards, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013, in Huntington Health and Rehab after a long illness. She is now in the loving arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 pm Friday, January 3, 2014, at Chapman’s Mortuary, Huntington, with Pastor Ron Brewer and Pastor Randy Ward officiating. Burial will be in Ridgelawn Memorial Park. She was born January 10, 1930 in Lincoln County, WV, a daughter of the late Buford and Gypsie Salmons Byrd. One brother Chuck Byrd, a grandchild and three great-grandchildren, also preceded her in death. She retired as a retail sales clerk, having spent the last 20 plus years of her life at the Milton Flea Market, where she enjoyed being with her friends and customers. She was Baptist by faith. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Randy Ward; three sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Gloria Courts, Michael and Tresia Courts, and Danny and Jill Courts, all of Huntington; two sisters, Peggy Davis of Lavalette, WV, and Louise Estes of Wellston, OK; and one brother and sister-in-law, Monty and Jo Byrd of Hurricane, WV; 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. A special Thank You to Cassie, Meagan and Kelly, her caregivers, for their special loving care of mom. Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home.