Obituary

Rachel  Louise Sowards, 61 of the Guyandotte section of Huntington, WV, passed away, Tuesday, June 25, 2013 in St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, WV. She was born March 3, 1952 in Huntington, WV the daughter of the late George Frederick and Eary Lona Mattox Sowards.  She was also preceded in death by one brother, Randall Hicks and great-grandson, Jayden Lee Riley. She was a homemaker and a member of the Fifth Avenue Freewill Baptist Church in Guyandotte. She is survived by two sons, Robert George Sowards and William Sowards-Thompson and wife, Sonja Thompson both of Huntington, WV; four sisters, Alice Mae Sowards of Lavalette, WV, Juanita Ann Mattix  of Chesapeake, OH, Laura Ann Lanham of Guyandotte, WV and Andrea Sowards; two brothers, Robert Lee Vernetter of Huntington, WV and Gary Ray Sowards of Guyandotte, WV; four grandchildren, Misty, Chris, Chucky and Ellyana;  special niece, Mary Albright; one, special grand-daughter-in-law, Amanda Levergood and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Rachel was a very kind hearted and loving person. She was loved by many and touched many children’s lives in Guyandotte. She lived to make sure that the children were fed and had plenty of food to eat. She had a great love for her family, friends and the many children she so often helped. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 28, 2013 at Fifth Avenue Freewill Baptist Church in Guyandotte, WV with Pastor Ray Vance and Pastor Daniel Ross officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time on Friday at the church. Burial will follow in Rosemont Memorial Gardens, Huntington, WV. Henson & Kitchen Mortuary is caring for the family.