Barbourville, Ky. – Floretta Sowders, age 87, passed away March 22, 2025. Floretta was the daughter of Oscar Davis and Lula Shelton born to them January 4, 1938, in Carpenter, Kentucky.
Floretta will forever be remembered as a loving and caring person. Especially important to her were her God, her husband Harold, and her cherished family. She was a member of the Grays Baptist Church. In addition to keeping a warm and inviting home for friends and family, Floretta worked as a Dietician for Marymount Hospital in London, Kentucky. In her free time, Floretta enjoyed cooking – her biscuits and gravy were a family favorite – working outside in her flowerbeds and shopping. Floretta united in marriage to Harold E. Sowders, a member of the US Navy, on May 13, 1957. Floretta accompanied Harold, while he served in the Navy, moving from base to base all around the United States making beautiful memories together with their children. Floretta and Harold were happily married for 58 years and had four children together.
Left behind to mourn her passing is her son Earnest Timothy “Tim” Sowders (Stacy); daughters Tamara “Tammy” Stamper (Ray), Molissa Mills (Lenvil), and Melinda Jackson (Richard); sister Alice Harrell; and sister-in-law Mary Davis. Fourteen grandchildren: Shannon Knapp, Jessecia Rawls (Jay), Jonathan Mills (Shanna), Maranda Hoskins, Theisha Smith (Josh), Tara Messer (BJ), Tori Shelley (Aaron), Tearle Sowders (Jessica), Jade Rush (Tiera), Isaiah Rush (Kelly), Noah Blevins (Mary), Langdon Jackson (Bethany), Makenzie Jackson (Makayla); thirty-three great grandchildren: Braelyn, Westyn, Austin (Allison), Kaden, Kadance, Isabella, Makayla, Trenton, Chelsea, Michael, Ethan, Kenneth, Peyton, CJ, Samantha, Eddie, Gabe, Makenlee, Quinn, Rhett, Makenna, Briella, Oliver, Madison, Tayten, Haven, Malachi, Haislee, Eli, Isaac, Isaiah, Zachary, Kason, Adalena; and one great, great grandchild Addelynn, also survive Floretta and will miss her dearly.
In addition to her parents, Oscar and Lula Davis, Floretta was preceded in death by her beloved husband Harold E. Sowders; brothers JB Davis (Addie), Bill Davis, Ray Davis (Mary Lou), and Bruce Davis; sisters Ruth Vertz (Lenard), Wanda Fuston (Charlie), Betty Brown (James), Lossie Buchanan (Jerald), Faye Wilder (Isom), and brother-in-law Bill Harrell.
The Sowders family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home Friday, March 28, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM. The Reverend Cleo Goodlett will officiate assisted by Pastor Sam Buchanan. Floretta’s granddaughter, Makenzie Jackson, will read a special tribute. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Barbourville Cemetery. The family has chosen as Casket Bearers: Tayten Sowders, Malachi Sowders, Noah Blevins, Isaiah Rush, Austin Stamper, Westyn Rawls, Trenton Smith, Gabe Cornett, and Eddie Clark.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, along with the staff of Hopper Funeral Home: Robin Reese, Lorena Blankenship, Reid Brewer, and Brenda Johnson, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Floretta Sowders.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is entrusted with servicing all arrangements for Floretta Sowders.
