Wlaf1450Charles Woodrow Sowder, age 74, of Williamsburg, Kentucky and Jellico, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on Saturday afternoon, September 4, 2021at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. He was born on October 14, 1946 to the late Ed Sowder and Charlotte (Hackler) Sowder in Jellico.
His paternal grandparents were the late Tom Sowder and Bessie Sowder. His maternal grandparents were the late Charles “Charlie” Otto Hackler and Tressie (Neely) Hackler.
Charles was a friend to all who knew him. He loved to make people happy and had a heart of gold. He never judged anyone; instead he accepted others just as they were.
He was a graduate of Jellico High School. He was a long-time member of Good Hope United Baptist Church. He was also a Master Gardener.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his son, Eddie Sowder; brother, “Eddie Boy” Sowder; sister, Betty Payne; niece, Jill Henley; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jess and Lola Brooks; sister-in-law, Edna Brooks; and brother-in-law, Johnny Brooks.
He is survived by his wife, Eudell (Brooks) Sowder, of Williamsburg, KY; one son, Chuck Sowder, of Jellico; one daughter, Susan Sowder, of Florence, KY; three grandchildren, Thomas Sowder, and wife, Kaitlin, of La Follette, TN, Ethan Sowder and James Sowder, both of Jellico; one great-granddaughter, Caroline Sowder, of La Follette, TN; sister, Jessica (Clemmie) Henley, of Stanton, Virginia.
Charles is also survived by two step-children, Regina Dismuke, of Pine Knot, KY and Kevin Saylor, of Dry Ridge, KY; two step-grandsons, Chance Dismuke and Wyatt Saylor; five sisters-in-law, Charlene Fuller, of California, Pauline Riggins, of Nashville, TN, Penny Stamper, of Williamsburg, KY, Wanda Guin, of Memphis, TN, and Melissa Brooks, of Branson, Missouri; four brothers-in-law, Jim Brooks and Carl Brooks, both of Burlington, KY, Lester Oswalt, of Lynn Haven, Florida, and Carson Payne, of Monticello, KY; life-long friends, Tommy Albertini and Alvin Adkins; several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing.
Graveside services and interment will be held on Saturday morning, October 16, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. in the Jellico Cemetery.
Celebration of Life services will follow on Saturday afternoon, October 16, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Good Hope United Baptist Church with Pastor James Hackler and Rev. Jimmy Albertini officiating.
A dinner will immediately follow the Celebration of Life Service in the Good Hope United Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the Good Hope United Baptist Church, 111 Indian Mountain Road, Jellico, TN, 37762
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all arrangements.