|
|
1928 - 2006
Rev. Ernest Claude Sowards, 77, of Huntington, W.Va., lost his battle with progressive supranuclear palsy and went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. He was born August 14, 1928 in Huntington, W.Va. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Margie Stallard Sowards; daughter, Carolyn, and husband, Danny Brown. PaPa leaves a very special grandson, Jonathan Lee Brown.
Ernest, Jr. was preceded in death by his dad and mom, Rev. E. C. Sowards, Sr. and Laura; his brother, Rev. B. J. Sowards and, among others, a very special Aunt, Maude Sowards Peters.
He is also survived by his brother’s widow, Barbara, with their children and families; Deb Sites, Suzi Adkins, Rev. Chris Sowards, special family friend, Betty Archer and many, many other relatives and friends.
“Ernie” was a journeyman printer and a veteran of the Korean War. He was an ordained minister (Honorary) of the United Pentecostal Church, Intl., and served as Presbyter of Section 4. He was editor of the UPCI WV District News for ten years and was pastor of 25th Street Pentecostal Church, Huntington, W.Va. for many years. He attended Open Door Apostolic Church, Charleston, W.Va. after retirement and was Honorary Associate Pastor with the Late Rev. B. J. Poff at New Life Tabernacle, Wayne, W.Va. He was a member of Pentecostal Truth Ministries, Huntington, W.Va., pastored by Rev. Janet Mounts and husband, Kenneth.
Bro. Sowards possessed rare, God-given traits of meakness(not weakness), tough love, honesty and Godliness. He was a great Christian, shepherd, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Everyone who knew and loved him believed that he lived by his motto, “Be Transparent.”
He was cared for in his home by his wife, daughter, and of course, Jonathan. The family would like to give special thanks of support to the Hospice of Huntington Team which included Jo Ghiz, Dee Kelly and Margie Copley; doctors, Linda Savory and Shelley Bailey; special nurse, Connie Yates, caregiver Linda Toppings and the Pentecostal Truth Ministries. We can’t thank you enough.
Visitation will be in the Sanctuary of Pentecostal Trust Ministries, located at 1208 Adams Avenue, Huntington on Friday, March 3, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Per his request, graveside service will be held in the White Chapel Mausoleum 1:00 p.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to Pentecostal Truth Ministries or Hospice of Huntington. Remembrance messages may be sent to the Reger Funeral Home at www.timeformemory.com/reger.
|
|
There are currently 16 condolences.
Brenda Gibas
Monday March 6, 2006 at
10:29 AM
|
A special memory I have of Brother Sowards that has been lost in the churches over the years is, regardless of the service, I remember Brother Sowards saying, "Before we go to our homes Saints, let's have a little talk with Jesus". I also remember his tears as he carried a burden for the people of the church; and I remember that smile....how precious!
|
| |
Rev. Fred and Mrs. Fred E. Kitchen
Sunday March 5, 2006 at
2:50 PM
|
Our hearts were saddened when we received the news of Bro. Soward's passing. This is a man that you can truly call "A Man of God". His soft spoken words and mannerism that he portrayed will live on in each one of us that his life and ministry has touched. We were blessed to be members of the 25th St. Pentecostal Church for ten years under Bro. Sowards ministry. His wisdom has been much help in molding us in the ministry these past 23 years of pastoring. May the Lord give you strength and comfort during this difficult time in your lives. We send our love to you Sis. Sowards, Carolyn and Jonathan.
|
| |
Bro. Sharden & Sis. Nella Sammons
Friday March 3, 2006 at
3:51 PM
|
Bro. Sowards was a great Apostolic pioneer, and an old-time preacher man. He never strayed from the old-time way. Not only did he preach it but he lived it. Sis. Sowards, I have known you and Bro. Soward since I was a young girl attending the Red Jacket Oneness Pentecostal Church under Elder Bro. Stallard's pastorship and also Bro. J.D. & Bro. Curtis Stallard. So you have been my life long friends. You both have been an inspiration to me and my life. Bro. Sowards life was a Bible that others could read and follow, he will be missed. Sis. Sowards, Carolyn, Jonathan and Sis. Betty we love you so much, we are here for you. May God help you and be with you.
|
| |
Bryan Salyers
Friday March 3, 2006 at
10:24 AM
|
He changed my life. I was working at Mc Donalds on 5th Ave. when I was 17 and my wife then 16 when I met him. I was telling him my girlfriend at the time was pregnant, he urged us to get married right away and with ease. He and his wife helped decorate the 25th st Church. This is going on 17 years now that we have been married and we have had a successful marriage. We now have 3 kids and live in Florida. Withoput his help how would my life be now. Thank You Rev. Sowards
|
| |
Pastor & Mrs. Scott Hall
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
11:50 PM
|
The name of Bro E.C. Sowards Jr, was one we have heard spoken of so highly throughout the state. His life, his ministry, and his walk with God was like a mighty oak tree, that never wavered. He will be missed by so many. Our prayers go out to the Sowards family. Pastor & Mrs. Scott Hall
|
| |
Joseph E. Rose Jr.
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
10:12 PM
|
Our prayers are with you and your family and I hope you know Bro. Sowards meant the world to me and my family he helped us through many trials and I know that God is pleased to have him in heaven with him. He was a true example of a christian and based his life on the word of God. Sincerely
|
| |
Perry & June Casto
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
8:07 PM
|
Bro. Sowards was a true man of God. We enjoyed the time we spent with him at Open Door. He was such a blessing. Earth's loss is Heaven's gain!
|
| |
Michael Stegall
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
4:58 PM
|
Dear Ma Sowards and Carolyn,
Wanted to let you know how very sorry we are for your lost of Ernest. I never new a more kinder, sweeter man. It has been a great privilege to have known him and had him a part of our family. We all here in North Carolina send our prayers and love to the family.
Love Michael
|
| |
Jeff Edwards
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
4:10 PM
|
Bro. Sowards was one person that I could truly call a genuine Christian. He was honest, true to the Lord Jesus, and a man of integrity. He was there for me many times in my teenage years, just when I needed the Godly advice of a father figure. We have lost a great man of God and a prophet in his own right. And heaven has gained a great and wonderful saint. To Sis. Sowards, "keep on keeping on." I was pastored by your dear brother Curtis Stallard at the Red Jacket church as a teenager growing up in Mingo Co. And I remember how fondly Bro. Stallard would speak of Bro. Sowards. God bless you Sis. Sowards in your loss.
|
| |
Billi Henderson
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
1:34 PM
|
Bro. Sowards will be greatly missed. He was a good man and a model Christian. He touched so many lives, especially mine and my families. He was a great example of how a Christian should be. I was privileged to know and be close to your family growing up. And it feels more like family than just friends. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. It’s hard being so far away. But, I want you to know you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
We love you all very much,
Will&Billi Henderson
PS..I was thinking that Him and Dad can keep each other company until we all get to heaven and are together again.
|
| |
Sis. Joann Poff
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
1:11 PM
|
Bro. Sowards was a great inspiration to our whole family. You all took us in when we first started coming to 25th street and treated us like family. Bro. Poff and I were so honored when you all decided to come to the Wayne church. You'll never know how much we appreciated that. You are still our very good friends and we love you all very much.
Love and Prayers,
Sis Joann Poff and family
|
| |
Adrian S. Kitchen
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
12:36 PM
|
I have not met a man with more conviction in his life. I truly belive that his hand was in the hand of God at all times. As a child, there are numerous times i can remember waking in the middle of the night from a bad dream and without a thought, would pick up the phone at any hour and dial his number and he would sit and talk to me and there would come over me such a peace that I've never known. It is my feeling that he was as close to God as any man I've ever known. He wasn't just a preacher but a true pastor who cared more about his flock than himself. He will be missed by many but I know in my heart that he has finally reached that place he spoke of all those years and I'm sure there's a wonderful celebration in heaven even as I write this. You were loved by many, and you've left some very large shoes to fill. To Margie and Carolyn, I know that God will help you find the same peace that Bro. Sowards had a way of passing on to all who knew him. We rejoice in the celebration of his life and just know that from my family to yours, we love you all very much and wish you the best.
Love and Peace,
Scott Kitchen
|
| |
SOWARES FAMILY
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
10:40 AM
|
WHAT I SENT WAS TO THE SOWARDS FAMILY I DID NOT PUT IT IN THERE SORRY MALINDA HENDERSON
|
| |
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
10:34 AM
|
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE FROM THE HENDERSON FAMILY THAT KNEW YOU BOTH AT THE 25TH ST CHURCH WILL KEEP YOU ALL IN OUR PRAYER'S SORRY FOR THE PASSING HE WAS A VERY GOOD MAN LOVE IN CHRIST THE HENDERSONS JIMMIE MALINDA JAMIE
|
| |
Donald Smith and Family
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
6:33 AM
|
I am left speechless. Pastor Sowards was like a Father to me, he taught me right from wrong and I will never forget his messages. I worked side by side with him as a kid in his building, and in our church. My greatest memory was communion service in the old church before it was remodeled. He washed my feet and I washed his. Brother Sowards was a disciple, and he has only moved to a better place where now I'm sure he adorns a crown of life. I loved him so much and i will miss him greatly. I've never in my life met a man who loved and cared so much for people, he and Sister Sowards were there for me when no one else cared about me.Brother Sowards believed in me, and gave me so much self-esteem.In Heaven there is no doubt a celebration, Brother Sowards is recieving his due, the many works he did here on earth built a very big mansion. He was Transparent! May God bless you Sister Sowards and your entire family; my prayers are with you all. I love you all from the bottom of my heart and soul. Donald D. Smith
|
| |
David Kitchen
Thursday March 2, 2006 at
3:23 AM
|
Bro. Sowards will be missed by all who had come in contact with him. A sweet spirit man.
Through his ministry there has been many of other ministries birthed.Our prayers are with the family.
David & LaTriche Kitchen
|
| |
|
