Person Page - 3071

     Richard André Bower was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ He was born on December 26, 1939 at Troutville, Botetourt Co., Virginia.^2,3 He married Margaret Jane "Janie" Wagner, daughter of Lester Fred Wagner Jr. and Alice Woodrow Yopp, on September 10, 1983 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2 Richard André Bower died on January 7, 2020 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 80.³ He Richard André Bower, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Salem, Va. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. He was born on December 26, 1939 to George and Regea Bower in Troutville, Va. He was a United States Air Force veteran and was retired from Lewis Gale Hospital. André loved to spend time feeding his bluebirds, taking daily walks on the greenway, and watching NASCAR races on TV. He loved when his house was full of family and friends enjoying a meal and playing games. He was predeceased by his brothers, Bob, Lanny, and Paul Bower. André is survived by his wife, Margaret Jane "Janie" Bower; children, Kirk (Karla) Bower, George (Angie) Bower, Chris (Teri) Sowers, Lee Sowers, and Faye (Robert) Crute; grandchildren, Barret (Ginni), Kathlyn (Christopher), Samantha, Rachel (Colby), Ryne, Will, Maggie, and Peyton; great-grandchildren, Maddox and Ellis. Also surviving are a brother, Jerry Bower; a sister, Julie (Jake) Slusher; sisters-in-law, Brenda Bower, and Barbara (John) Ely; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and special friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 9 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Rd., Roanoke. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Simpson Funeral Home with Pastor Derek Lam officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem, Va. on January 9, 2020.³

     His Social Security Number was 130-56-5937.³ Donald Dean Conner Jr. was born on October 6, 1959.³ He died on May 5, 2012 at Boones Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 52.^1,2,3 He Donald Dean Conner Jr., 52, of Copper Hill, passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2012. He was predeceased by a brother, Jonathan Conner. Surviving is a daughter, Lacy Conner, of Callaway; father, Donald D. Conner Sr., of Roanoke; two sisters, Kelly Conner, of California, and Amber and James Denny, of Salem; stepdaughter, Sheena Shelton; three stepgrandchildren; niece and nephew, Christa Denny and Dustin Denny; and special friend, Kim Morgan. on May 8, 2012.¹

     James Edward Denny was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He was born on September 25, 1949 at Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio.² He married Amber Conner, daughter of Donald Dean Conner Sr. and Betty Julia Kemp, circa 1985.^1,2 James Edward Denny died on November 16, 2022 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 73.² He James Edward Denny, age 73, residing in Salem, Va., went to be with our Lord and Savior after many years of struggling with COPD on November 16, 2022, with his family by his side. James was born on September 25, 1949, to parents, Mary Francis Nevius and Jack Edward Denny in Columbus, Ohio. James served in the Marine Corps. Post military, James was employed by Child Help USA in Calif., where he cared for abused and neglected children. While working there, he met his wife, Amber Denny of 37 years. James and Amber had 2 beautiful children, Dustin and Christa. James was a devoted Social Worker for over 20 years, specializing in mediation and child protective services. He was passionate and dedicated to helping children who were not in a position to help themselves so they would have a more fruitful and loving life. James' care, compassion and loving heart continued to flourish for his family and his boxers who were his pride and joy. James enjoyed fishing and watching OSU football games with his son, Saturday morning donuts and chocolate milk with his daughter and spending all and any time he could with his loving wife and never wanted to leave her side. James was a man of faith who loved our God. James Denny was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Nevius and Jack Denny; Sister, Leslie Marie Denny, and brothers-in-law, Bob Goodman and Donald Conner. James Denny is survived by his wife, Amber Denny; his two children, Dustin and Rachel Denny and Christa and David O'Quinn; sister, Jackie Goodman, Sherry and Lee Conner, Debbie and Bob Terry, Susan and James Myers, Julie and Alan Gearheart; sister-in-law, Kelly Conner and Steve Zambel; his three loving grandchildren that he adored, Cole Denny, Madisyn and Deznyk O'Quinn; and 13 of the most caring nieces and nephews, and their children. Burial with military honors will be held in Sherwood Memorial Park. on November 20, 2022.²

     Mamie Agnes Sowder was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ Her Social Security Number was 229-98-1809.⁵ She was born on November 4, 1894 at Franklin Co., Virginia.⁵ As of circa 1916,her married name was Jones.⁶ She married Arthur Bernard Jones, son of William Henry Lee Jones and Eliza Jane Cooper, circa 1916.^7,6,2,3 Mamie Agnes Sowder died on November 24, 1975 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 81.^5,3

     Elsie Augusta Sowder was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^6,5 She was born on December 21, 1903 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^5,3 As of April 7, 1928,her married name was Haymaker.⁴ She married Alfred William Haymaker on April 7, 1928 at Roanoke, Virginia.^7,5,4 Elsie Augusta Sowder died on March 14, 1971 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 67.^6,5

     Her Social Security Number was 229-42-2032.⁶ Louise Arenta Sowder was buried at Pigg River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Swenfield Road, Franklin Co., Virginia.² Her married name was Akers.² She married Eugene Wolton Akers.^2,7 Louise Arenta Sowder was born on April 16, 1912 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^6,3,4 She died on December 24, 1997 at Virginia at age 85.^6,2 She Akers, Louise Sowder, of Rocky Mount, passed away Wednesday, December 24, 1997 in a local hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Wolton Akers and a grandson, Danny M. Brooks. Surviving are three children, Eugene W. and Ethel Akers, Rocky Mount, Nancy Akers and Ralph (Dusty) Rhodes, Smith Mountain Lake, Selma (Duck) and Brenda Akers, Rocky Mount; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers and one sister, Wilson Sowder, Jacksonville, Fla., John Sowder, Providence Forge, Edith Holt, New Carrollton, MD. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday in Flora Funeral Chapel, with Elder Joe Ben Jamison officiating. Interment will follow in the Pigg River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorials to the American Cancer Society. Friends may call at Flora Funeral Service after 3 p.m. Thursday where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and other times at the home of Eugene and Ethel Akers . Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, South Main Street, Rocky Mount. on December 25, 1997.²

     Her Social Security Number was 226-12-1386.⁴ Sadie Sowder was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.² Her married name was Bussey.⁵ She married James Carl Bussey.^5,2 Sadie Sowder was born on July 10, 1914 at Virginia.^1,4 She died on March 17, 1994 at New Kent Co., Virginia, at age 79.^2,6 She BUSSEY, Sadie Sowder, 79, of Providence Forge, Va., died Thursday, March 17, 1994. Formerly of Roanoke, Mrs. Bussey had made her home for the past five years with a niece, Susan Bates and her husband, Frank in Providence Forge. Mrs. Bussey was the widow of J. Carl Bussey. She was a member of Northview United Methodist Church and the Alpine Garden Club. Surviving are her sisters, Louise S. Akers, Rocky Mount, Edith S. Holt, Md; brothers, Dr. Wilson T. Sowder, Jacksonville, Fla., John G. Sowder, Providence Forge, Va; a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to the Alzheimer Disease (ADRDA), Roanoke-Salem Chapter, P.O. Box 5014, Roanoke, Va. 24012 or the Providence Forge Rescue Squad, Providence Forge, Va. 23140. Funeral services will be conducted 11:30 a.m. Monday at Oakey's North Chapel by the Rev. Harold E. Wallof and the Rev. Will is L. Betts. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Oakey's North Chapel. on March 19, 1994.²

     Edith Catherine Sowder was buried at Maryland National Memorial Park, 13300 Baltimore Avenue, Laurel, Prince George's Co., Maryland.³ Her Social Security Number was 579-28-1726.⁶ Her married name was Holt.⁷ She married Herbert N. Holt.^7,3 Edith Catherine Sowder was born on April 13, 1922 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,5 She died on April 12, 2004 at age 81.^3,6 She Edith C. Holt - On Monday, April 12, 2004, wife of the late Herbert N. Holt; mother of David (Patricia) Holt, Deborah (Thomas) Kuckuda and Richard (Margaret) Holt; sister of Wilson T. and John G. Sowder; grandmother of David Jr., Keith, Shane, Matthew, Laura, Adam and Dustin. Relatives and friends may call at Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill Rd., Beltsville, MD, Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Interment Maryland National Memorial Park. on April 14, 2004.³

     Eva Mae Divers was buried at Franklin Memorial Park, Virgil Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia.² Her married name was Sowder.¹ She married Percy Rodney "P.R." Sowder, son of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb.^1,2 Eva Mae Divers was born on January 1, 1917.³ She died on January 31, 2013 at Virginia at age 96.² She Eva Mae Divers Sowder, 95, of Goodview, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2013. She was a beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. She was a founding member of St. James Episcopal Church in Roanoke. She is predeceased by her husband, Percy Rodney "P.R." Sowder. Survivors are her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Tom Lowery; grandchildren, Alicia Simonds, Amanda and Scott Graham, and T.J. and Mandy Horne; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Tyler, Arissa, Kaden and Blake; sister-in-law, Tina Divers; and numerous nieces and nephews. Eva will be greatly missed by her loving toy poodle, Crickett, who never left her side. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 4515 Delray Street, NW, Roanoke, VA 24012. Special thanks to Bedford Hospice, Rhonda, Sissy and Mary Jo and caregivers, Pamela Smith and Terry Hibbard. Funeral Services will be conducted at St. James Episcopal Church, Roanoke, Va., at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2013, with the Rev. Susan Bentley officiating. Luncheon to follow from noon to 2 p.m. Graveside Service to be held in Franklin Memorial Park at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2013, at Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221, and one hour prior to the funeral service at St. James Episcopal Church. on February 3, 2013.²

     Eugene Wolton Akers was buried at Pigg River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Swenfield Road, Franklin Co., Virginia.^5,4 His Social Security Number was 224-20-2223.⁶ He married Louise Arenta Sowder, daughter of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb.^1,4 Eugene Wolton Akers was born on March 30, 1910 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^5,6,2,3,4 He died on September 2, 1966 at Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 56.^5,4

     His Social Security Number was 225-10-8392.⁷ James Carl Bussey was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^3,5 He married Sadie Sowder, daughter of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb.^1,2 James Carl Bussey was born on November 21, 1911 at Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^7,4,5,6 He died on July 22, 1978 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 66.^7,5

     Herbert N. Holt married Edith Catherine Sowder, daughter of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb.^1,2 Herbert N. Holt was born circa 1916 at West Virginia.³

     Merlie Flora Willis was buried at Pigg River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Swenfield Road, Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ Her Social Security Number was 224-64-9094.³ She was born on June 15, 1900 at Virginia.^1,3 As of circa 1920,her married name was Sowder.^1,4 She married James Noah Sowder, son of John Harvey "Brud" Sowder and Mary Catherine Webb, circa 1920.^1,4,2 Merlie Flora Willis died on August 19, 1982 at age 82.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 228-30-6386.⁵ Sylvester Lila "Bess" Sowder was buried at Mountain View Memorial Park (also known as Mountain View Burial Park), 5970 Grassy Hill Road, Boones Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia.³ Her married name was Guilliams.³ She married Paul F. Guilliams.³ Sylvester Lila "Bess" Sowder was born on February 16, 1922 at Virginia.^1,5 She died on May 14, 1997 at Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 75.^5,3 She GUILLIAMS, Sylvester Sowder, ("Bess"), 75, of Rocky Mount, Gogginsville Community, died Wednesday, May 14, 1997 at her residence. She was a member of the Gogginsville United Methodist Church for 45 years and was a loving wife and dedicated mother. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Merlie Willis Sowder, two brothers and one sister. Surviving are her husband, Paul F. Guilliams; one daughter, Phyllis Darlene Doss, Rocky Mount; two grandsons, Tony and wife Lisa, Doss, Callaway, Sean Doss and special friend Leana Loar, Rocky Mount; one great-granddaughter, Haley Doss; one brother and sister-in-law, William (Bill) and Edith Sowder, Rocky Mount; three nieces; two nephews; and special friends, Melva Pendleton and Ruth Sigmon. Funeral services will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel, 11 a.m. Friday, with Elder W, Lane Carter and the Rev. Steven W. Greer officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Thursday, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, S. Main St., Rocky Mount. on May 15, 1997.³

     James Alfred Sowder was buried at High Street Cemetery, Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,6 He was born on September 1, 1928 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,4,6,5 He died on August 15, 1952 at age 23.^3,6

     William Harvey "Bill" Sowder Sr. William “Bill” Harvey Sowder, age 86 of Rocky Mount, passed away Sunday, August 15, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Virginia Green; brothers, Bud and Coy Sowder; sisters, Nadine and Sylvester Sowder; mother, Merlie Sowder; and father, James “Jim” Sowder. Surviving are his children, Mary Lee Sowder and William “Bubby” Sowder Jr; nieces, Phyllis Doss and Kelly Profitt; and nephew, Mark Waldron. Bill was retired from DuPont with over 35 years of service and was a U.S. Army veteran. He taught school in Callaway and was well known for his fiddle playing. Bill was a member of Gogginsville United Methodist Church. Bill loved his two furry companions: his cat, Brownie, and his dog, Bebe. The family would like to thank Carilion Hospice, Dr. James Maxey, Dr. David Trinkle, Pastor Kathryn Budzik, and Pastor Dan Rudy for all their care and prayers.⁵ He was born on December 30, 1934 at Franklin Co., Virginia.⁶ He married Edith Virginia Green, daughter of Dennis Hampton Green and Hattie M. Wimmer, on April 19, 1957 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^4,3,5,7 William Harvey "Bill" Sowder Sr. died on August 15, 2021 at Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 86.⁵

     Rosetta Nadine Sowder was buried at Mountain View Memorial Park (also known as Mountain View Burial Park), 5970 Grassy Hill Road, Boones Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia.^6,4 She was born on March 8, 1938 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,6,4 As of August 31, 1957,her married name was Arthur.³ She married Ennis Jewell Arthur Jr. on August 31, 1957 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^6,3,4 Rosetta Nadine Sowder died on December 3, 1960 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 22.^6,4