Geneva W. Sowell, 92, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, May 30, 2019, at her residence.
Funeral services will be held 12:30 PM, Sunday, June 2, 2019, at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Annette Brooks and Father Lloyd Prescott officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the sanctuary on Sunday.
Mrs. Sowell was born November 7, 1926, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late Herman Ralph & Marietta Bennett Wentz. She was a graduate of Fitzgerald High School and was a homemaker. She also worked for Western Auto and Clark & Seigler Drug Store. Mrs. Sowell was a wonderful cook who loved to share her recipes and feed her family and friends. She was very active in the community having been a member of the Do Nothing Club, the Red Hat Society, the Daughters of Rebekah, the Emmaus community, the American Legion Auxiliary, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Ladies of Nasah. She was a charter member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. Along with her late husband, Mrs. Sowell will be remembered for helping to bring Santa Claus to town. For almost 60 years, “Mr. & Mrs. Claus” visited many children as well as adults sharing the Joy of Christmas. Mrs. Sowell loved her family but had a special place in her heart for children of all ages.
She is survived by her children: James N. “Jim” Sowell, III & Margaret of Cascade, Virginia, Alicia S. White of Fitzgerald, and Regina S. Prescott & Father Lloyd of Bowling Green, Kentucky; grandchildren: Connie Horn of Fitzgerald, Erick Walker of Fitzgerald, Joy & Steve Matsui of Oceanside, California, Keith & Tabitha Walker of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Mary Helen “Faith” Brown of Cheltenham, England, Brandi Pearce of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Hope & Gabe Henderson of Charlottesville, Virginia; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; siblings-in-law, Mamie Ruth Ellington of Fitzgerald, William C. “Bill” & Marjorie Sowell of Fitzgerald, Bob & Doris Sowell of Albany, Margaret Sowell of Jacksonville, Florida, and Sharon Grove of Kansas; along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James N. Sowell, Jr.; and four brothers, Dr. B.A. “Gus” Wentz, Melvin Wentz, Lloyd Wentz, and Frank Wentz.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Shriners’ Hospitals for Children, c/o Hasan Shrine, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA 31701, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148.