Sowers, Joseph Reece
Joseph Reece “Joe” Sowers passed peacefully Monday, October 28, 2024 at his home in Portal, Georgia with his daughter by his side. He was born September 12, 1928 in Pilot, Virginia the son of Joseph R and Roxie G (Poff) Sowers.
Joe was a veteran of the Army, has served as a lineman and Electrical construction worker until he retired at the age of 64 and remained an IBEW union member for over 75 years. Joe was regarded highly in his work as an Electrician, working for E.C. Ernest company and worked on the White House and helped build the Washington D.C metro in which he was honored with a Craftsman Award.
In 1953, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Ruby Marie Trump. Joe and Ruby enjoyed 65 years of marriage and raising a family, which was their greatest joy. Joe had a robust love of the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He instilled this love in his family which continues to this day.
Joe was a Godly man, and his Christian faith served him well throughout most his life. Once he became to know the Lord he did it with passion and told others about his love for Christ. He was a lifelong gospel music lover and coordinated gospel singings monthly at the Nazarene Church in Christiansburg, Virginia.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Ruby Marie of Pilot, Va, his son Joe Sowers, of Alexandria, Va, his daughter Brenda Dickerson, of Front Royal, Va, his sister Edna Sowers, of Christiansburg, Va, his sister Merle Rakes, of Shawsville, Va, his brother Charles Sowers, of Christiansburg, Va, and half sister Etta Mae Reed, of Floyd, Va.
He is survived by his daughter Marie Burdett (Jay) Portal, Ga. Grandsons Daven Loy (Michelle) of Radford, Va, Joe Loy (Shannon) of Front Royal, Va, Dan Loy (Danielle) of Gainesville, Va. Granddaughters Taylor Davie of San Antonio, Texas, Ashley Couey (Russell) of Washington State, and special “granddaughter” Shelbie Jones of Portal, Ga. Ten great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors Saturday from 12-1 at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg, with service immediately following in the chapel of Horne Funeral Home at 1pm. The funeral will be officiated by Pastor Leon Alley of Floyd, Virginia.
Interment with military honors will follow at Huffville Cemetery in Floyd, Va.
Pallbearers will be Daven Loy, Radford, Va, Joe Loy, Front Royal, Va, Dan Loy, Gainesville, Va, Dave Trump,Pembroke, Va, Alfred Altice, Shawsville, Va, Ron Rakes, Shawsville, Va and honorary pallbearer Bruce Rakes, Shawsville, Va.
