Woodrow Hershel “Jake” Sowards, 89, of South Charleston, died Monday, July 21, 2003 at home after a short illness.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel.
He was retired from the city of South Charleston.
He is survived by his five daughters, Wanda Bostic of Gay, Ollie Bostic of Griffithsville, Anna Gue of Branchland, Linda Cobb of Alum Creek, Mena Stanley of Richmond, VA; five sons, Junior of Sumerco, Bob of Alkol, Ojay of Myrtle Beach, SC, Frankie of Hamlin, Hershel of South Charleston, four step-daughters, Orpha Wieppe of Florida, Barbara McCutcheon of Sissonville, Mary Jo Parsons of Charleston, Geraldine Moore of Nitro; two step-sons, Albert Moore of Charleston, Denny Moore of Hurricane; three brothers, Joe Sowazds of Michigan, Denver Sowards of Ohio, Brady Sowards of Florida; five sisters, Edna Barrby of Ohio, Margaret Newcomber of North Carolina, Edith Sedlarick and Jewell Coburn both of Michigan, Gladys Spradling of Arizona; 55 Grandchildren; 104 Great Grandchildren; 10 Great Great Grandchildren.
Services will be held at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, on Thursday, July 24, 2003 at 1:00 PM with Bishop Chester McCutcheon officiating. Burial will be held in Forks of Coal Memorial Park, Alum Creek. Friends may call on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 from 7 to 9 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 301 RHL Blvd., Charleston, WV 25309 or Kanawha Hospice Care, 1143 Dunbar, WV 25064.