Person Page - 3044

     Lucille Marguerite Leslie was buried at Mountain View Memorial Park (also known as Mountain View Burial Park), 5970 Grassy Hill Road, Boones Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia.⁴ She was born on December 24, 1907 at McKittrick, Montgomery Co., Missouri.^5,4,2 As of December 21, 1933,her married name was Sowder.³ She married Dr. Wilson Thomas Sowder, son of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb, on December 21, 1933 at Jackson Co., Missouri.^1,2,3 Lucille Marguerite Leslie died on July 19, 2004 at Jacksonville, Duval Co., Florida, at age 96.^5,4,2 She Lucille Marguerite Leslie Sowder, 96, died peacefully at home on Monday, July 19, 2004. She was born December 24, 1907 in McKittrick, Missouri, the daughter of Dr. James T. and Ella McAfoos Leslie. She had lived in Jacksonville for more than 60 years. Mrs. Sowder is survived by her beloved husband of over 70 years, Dr. Wilson T. Sowder; three children: Dr. W. Thomas Sowder, Jr. (Zoraida) of Fort Lauderdale; Jane Sowder Palmer (Harvey) and James Leslie Sowder (Rita) of Jacksonville; grandchildren: John Riley Sowder, Paul Leslie Sowder (Amanda), Amy Elizabeth Sowder, Kathleen Lucille Palmer Slama (Robert), Laura Leslie Palmer, David Thomas Palmer, Edward Rugg Sowder and Anne Marie Rugg Sowder Chance (Tony); great-grandchildren: Max Charles Rocha, Adam Vincent Slama and Daphne Sowder. She is also survived by two sisters: Leone Leslie MacDougall and Frances Leslie Harrell, one brother, Dr. J.T. Leslie, Jr. (Gloria), and a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her si sters Gladys Leslie and Virginia Lee Leslie Livengood, and her brother, Dr. James Paul Leslie. Mrs. Sowder studied nursing at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Nursing. She received her B.A. from the University of Iowa and her M.A. in Education from the University of Florida. She worked as an R.N. at both St. Vincent's and Hope Haven Children's Hospitals in Jacksonville, and later taught elementary school in the Duval County Public Schools for a number of years. During her retirement years she enjoyed her grandchildren, travel, gardening, reading and helping young children learn to read. She and her family very much appreciated the faithful ministry of her good friend, Mildred Marshall, and of her excellent caregivers: Elizabeth Pettigrew, Phyllis Partridge, Devina Thomas, Debreah Fageol, Ruth Hinkle and Rita Carter. on July 21, 2004.²

     Her married name was Sowder.¹ Zoraida Unknown married Dr. Wilson Thomas Sowder Jr., son of Dr. Wilson Thomas Sowder and Lucille Marguerite Leslie.^1,2 Zoraida Unknown was born on March 10, 1964.³ She died on March 7, 2011 at Florida at age 46.³

     Anne Creighton Orange was buried at Washington Memorial Park, 6217 Memorial Drive, Sandston, Henrico Co., Virginia.^5,2 She was born on December 25, 1920 at Charles City Co., Virginia.^2,4 As of October 11, 1944,her married name was Sowder.⁴ She married Judge John Grady Sowder, son of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb, on October 11, 1944 at Holdcroft, Charles City Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 Anne Creighton Orange died on March 12, 1962 at Providence Forge, New Kent Co., Virginia, at age 41.^2,3 She PROVIDENCE FORGE - Mrs. Anne Orange Sowder, 41, died at her home here Monday night. She was the wife of John G. Sowder, judge of the Charles City and New Kent County Courts. Sowder was a member of the Memorial Methodist Church in Charles City and the Martha Dandridge Woman's Club in New Kent county. Survivors in addition to her husband, are two daughters, Susan Leigh and Catherine Craig Sowder, both of Providence Forge; her mother, Mrs. Ernest E. Orange of Providence Forge; a brother, E. E. Orange Jr. of Providence Forge; and two sisters, Mrs. Malcolm C. Christian of Providence Forge and Mrs. George A. Turkiewicz of Alberquerque. on March 14, 1962.³

     Mabel Louise Redd was buried at Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Avenue, Tuckahoe, Henrico Co., Virginia.⁵ Her Social Security Number was 223-05-7229.³ She was born on September 30, 1917 at Leigh, Prince Edward Co., Virginia.^6,3,4 As of April 5, 1963,her married name was Sowder.⁷ She married Judge John Grady Sowder, son of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb, on April 5, 1963 at Henrico Co., Virginia.^1,2,7 Mabel Louise Redd died on October 27, 2005 at Virginia at age 88.⁶ She Sowder, Mrs. Mabel Louise Redd Shipp, of Providence Forge, a retired administrative assistant, wife of John G. Sowder, widow of Waverly Shipp. on October 28, 2005.²

     Eugene Wilson Akers was buried at Franklin Memorial Park, Virgil Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,4 He was born on January 15, 1933 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,4 He married Ethel Annie Law circa 1954.^4,3,5 Eugene Wilson Akers died on August 12, 2014 at age 81.³ He Eugene Wilson Akers, 81, of Rocky Mount, died on Tuesday, August 12, 2014. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Wolton Akers; mother, Louise S. Akers; nephew, Danny M. Brooks; sister-in-law, Judy L. Wood; and nieces, Annette Wood and Christie Shively. Eugene is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 60 years, Ethel L. Akers; sister, Nancy A. Rhodes (Dusty) of Penhook; brother, Selma (Duck) and Brenda A. Akers of Franklin County; uncle, James Caroll (Jim) Akers of Roanoke; sisters-in-law, Garnett L. Flora (David), and Martha L. Hubbard (Billie); one of Eugene's best friends, Becky L. Coleman (Rev. Ron); brothers-in-law, Jimmy L. Law (Gail) and Donnie Wood; and many nieces and nephews. Eugene was a charter member of the Rocky Mount First Church of the Brethren. When Eugene started in the milk trucking business he had only one truck. When he retired after 35 years he had a fleet of trucks known as Akers Trucking. With hard work and fair treatment to all, Eugene built a successful business. Eugene was loved by all that knew him. He and Ethel loved to travel in their motor home. They went cross county and visited every state but Alaska. He served his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany for about a year. Eugene loved and was there for all of his and Ethel's family. Ethel would like to thank Dr. F. Amos, Lynn Wood, Freddie Peters, Pearl Simmons, family, and Carilion Hospice of Franklin County for the loving care given to Eugene. He will be missed. Interment will follow with Military Honors in Franklin Memorial Park. on August 13, 2014.³

     Ethel Annie Law Ethel Law Akers, age 88 of Rocky Mount passed away peacefully while hospitalized on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 after a brief but serious illness. She was born on September 22, 1936, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, to Jessie and Odell Law. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband of 60 years, Eugene Wilson Akers. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Jimmy Law and Jessie Law; her sisters, Judy Wood and Becky Coleman; brother-in-law, David Flora; sisters-in-law, Brenda Akers and Nancy Rhodes. Ethel graduated from Franklin County High School. Most of Ethel’s adult life she was owner and operator of Hair Fashions by Ethel, the business she built from the ground up. She enjoyed traveling to national hair stylist conventions serving as a judge which allowed Ethel to take her talents beyond the walls of her Rocky Mount business. After retiring, Ethel and Eugene traveled across the nation in their motor coach. They made many friends and memories as they enjoyed traveling the open road. Eventually, they settled in Naples, Florida, to make their Winter home. They enjoyed the beautiful weather and many visitors from home. Ethel is survived by her sisters, Garnett Flora and Martha (Billie) Hubbard; brothers-in-law, Selma (Duck) Akers, Donnie Wood, Ron Coleman and Dusty Rhodes; and sister-in-law, Gail Cole Law. Ethel had numerous nieces and nephews and also many great nieces and nephews. She loved them all dearly and was loved deeply in return. Ethel will be remembered for her zest for life, her kindness and generosity, and her gift of hospitality. She was always baking a cake! She brightened our days with her sense humor and laughter. There will never be another Ethel! Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park.³ She was buried at Franklin Memorial Park, Virgil Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia.³ She was born on September 22, 1936 at Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 As of circa 1954,her married name was Akers.⁴ She married Eugene Wilson Akers, son of Eugene Wolton Akers and Louise Arenta Sowder, circa 1954.^1,4,3 Ethel Annie Law died on June 27, 2025 at age 88.³

     Nancy Lee Akers Nancy Lee Akers Rhodes, 86, died at home on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Naples, Florida, after a courageous ten-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born on September 21, 1937, in Rocky Mount, Virginia to Wolton and Louise (Sowder) Akers. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Eugene Akers; sister-in-law, Brenda Akers; and her beloved son, Danny Brooks. Nancy graduated from Franklin County High School in 1955 and after graduation, she spent several years working at Bristol Manufacturing. In the years following her children’s births, Nancy stayed at home and happily raised her family. When her kids were old enough to go to school, she became a beloved teacher's aide at Glade Hill Elementary. In 1973, Nancy began working at Hutcherson & Rhodes Law Firm and in the 26 years that followed, she worked as a paralegal and office manager. Her main job was keeping Dusty in line. In 1997, Nancy and Dusty became snowbirds and began splitting time between Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia and Naples, Florida. In 2017, they moved to Florida full-time. Nancy enjoyed keeping fit by spending hours at The Players Club in Lely. She and Dusty also had a very active social life and enjoyed spending time with friends. After retirement, she once commented that “she did not know how she had ever had time to work-there were just too many other fun things to do instead of working.” Nancy’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends at their lake house on Smith Mountain Lake and winter home in Naples, Florida. She was at her happiest in the kitchen cooking for her children and grandchildren. Nancy is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Ralph B. “Dusty” Rhodes; daughter, Donna (Scott) of Sammamish WA: stepdaughter, Ann (Danny) of Troutville, VA; stepdaughter, Gina (Garrett) of Asheville, NC; brother, Duck Akers; sister-in-law and best friend of more than 70 years, Ethel Akers. Nancy had nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Ken Brooks (Katie) of West Liberty, IA; Tim Brooks (Kelly) of Louisville, Kentucky; Logan Cleary of Kirkland, WA; Chase Cleary of Sacramento, CA; Thomas Weaver of Glen Allen, VA; Ellen Weaver of Roanoke, VA; Draper Bender of Delray, FL; Quillen Bender of Delray, FL; and Olivia Bender of Asheville, NC.⁵ She was born on September 21, 1937 at Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,4,5 As of November 23, 1955,her married name was Brooks.³ She married Milton Cobbs Brooks on November 23, 1955 at Franklin Co., Virginia.³ Nancy Lee Akers and Milton Cobbs Brooks were divorced on April 6, 1983 at Franklin Co., Virginia.⁴ As of June 20, 1983,her married name was Rhodes.³ Nancy Lee Akers married Ralph Blackford "Dusty" Rhodes on June 20, 1983 at Petersburg, Virginia.^1,3,6,5 Nancy Lee Akers died on July 23, 2024 at Naples, Collier Co., Florida, at age 86.⁵