Person Page - 3389

     Tazwell Edgar Epperly married Garnett Vivian Whitenack, daughter of Enoch Dalah Whitenack and Eliza Jane DeWeese.² Tazwell Edgar Epperly was born on February 9, 1895 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He died in 1954.

     His Social Security Number was 230-16-8413.² Mosby Johnson Sowers married Allie Bleeka Whitenack, daughter of Enoch Dalah Whitenack and Eliza Jane DeWeese.¹ Mosby Johnson Sowers was born on January 9, 1909 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.² He died on February 4, 1989 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 80.²

     Louis Gale Sowers Sr. was buried at Sunset Cemetery, North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹ His Social Security Number was 231-56-9261.⁵ He was born on March 20, 1942 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,5,2,3,6 He married Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Johnson, daughter of Hobart H. Johnson Jr. and Bonnie Claudine Conner, on June 27, 1969 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^7,8,2,1,9,3 Louis Gale Sowers Sr. died on October 26, 2012 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 70.^1,5,3,4 He Louis Gale Sowers Sr., 70, of Riner, died Friday, October 26, 2012, at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem. Born March 20, 1942, he was preceded in death by his parents, Mosby and Bleeka Whitenack Sowers; and a sister, Norma Sowers Martin. A graduate of Auburn High School, Class of 1960, Louie was a charter and honorary lifetime member of the Riner Volunteer Fire Department. He was the owner/operator of L.G.S. Inc. Trucking based in Riner. Louie also raised beef cattle on his farm and loved to collect antique John Deere tractors. Saturday nights he could be found at the Classic Car Cruise-in at Kmart in Christiansburg and most mornings were spent drinking coffee and shooting the breeze with his friends at Hardee's or the Riner Food Center. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Johnson Sowers; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Kevin Light; a son, L.G. Sowers Jr; and three grandchildren, Katherine Rose, Henry Louis and Hayley Elizabeth, all of Riner. He is also survived by a brothers-in-law, Gary Johnson and wife, Kathy, and Jack Martin; a niece and two nephews; as well as a multitude of cousins and close friends. Louie was a friend to all and a stranger to none and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. The family would like to thank Dr. Raymond Harron and the nurses on 2nd floor SICU who took excellent care of Louie and are as devastated by his passing as anyone else. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg. on October 28, 2012.⁸

     Her Social Security Number was 224-56-1014.³ Norma June Sowers was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 2880 North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.² She was born on December 15, 1939 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^3,4 As of September 13, 1963,her married name was Martin.⁴ She married Jack Lloyd Martin, son of Garnett Rufus Martin and Beulah Kathern Nolley, on September 13, 1963 at Riner, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,2 Norma June Sowers died on February 22, 2001 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 61.^3,2,5 She MARTIN, Norma June, 61, of Riner, died Thursday, February 22, 2001. She is survived by her husband, Jack L. Martin; son and daughter-in-law, Steve S. and Jennifer S. Martin; brother and sister-in-law, Louis G. and Betty Sowers, all of Riner. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Friends may call anytime after 12 noon Saturday, February 24, 2001 at Horne Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening. The funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, February 25, 2001 in the Horne Funeral Chapel with Rev. Steve Aker officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family requests in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions be made to the Riner Fire Department, Box 11, Riner, Va. 24149. Arrangements are being handled by Horne Funeral Service in Christiansburg. on February 24, 2001.²

     His Social Security Number was 228-28-0533.⁵ Clifford Roy Whitlock was born on May 6, 1927 at Virginia.^2,5 He died on June 26, 1980 at age 53.³

     Esley Curtice Whitlock was buried at Witt Cemetery, Patrick Springs, Patrick Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on October 25, 1925 at Virginia.¹ He died on April 20, 1929 at Virginia at age 3.¹

     Karl Newton Mowry was born on October 10, 1917 at Fishersville, Augusta Co., Virginia.² He married Ruth Alma Whitlow, daughter of George Willie Whitlow and Jennie Lind Weeks, on August 26, 1943 at Blytheville, Mississippi Co., Arkansas.^4,5 Karl Newton Mowry married Ruth Alma Whitlow, daughter of George Willie Whitlow and Jennie Lind Weeks, on March 30, 1968 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Karl Newton Mowry married Eva Joyce Epperly, daughter of Willard Linkous Epperly and Annie Ruth Epperly, on February 21, 1975 at Williamsburg, Virginia.^6,7,3,8 Karl Newton Mowry and Ruth Alma Whitlow were divorced on March 19, 1975 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ Karl Newton Mowry died on May 20, 2008 at Virginia at age 90.² He After a short illness, Karl Nweton Mowry, 90, of Christiansburg, boarded that glory train as it pulled out of the station on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, destination Heaven. Karl was born October 10, 1917, in Fishersville, Va., to Raymond and Hassie Mowry. Karl began his Christian journey in the church established by his mother who was a minister in Waynesboro. Karl was a staff sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. After military service he worked for Celanese in Giles County. As a result of his work at Celanese, Karl became a staff representative for United Steelworkers of America (formerly District 50) and retired after 28 years with the Steelworkers. Karl formerly lived in Peterstown, W.Va., and Port Orange, Fla. Karl was a member of Faith Christian Church and formerly Port Orange Christian Church. He was also a member of the John Dove Masonic Lodge #78, Peterstown, W.Va. Karl was predeceased by his son, Karl N. (K.N.); his parents, Raymond and Hassie; and brothers, Bill, Melvin, Russell and Ray Jr. Karl leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Joyce; children, Amber (Jimmy) Spikes, Salem, Karen Conord, Port Orange, Fla., Dennis (Beth) Poff, Hiwassee, Rick (Juliann) Poff, and Gary Poff, Christiansburg; grandchildren, Shannon (Mitch) Turner, Shane, Amanda Spikes, Seth Mowry , Julie (Scott) Habeeb, Monica Noble, and Ritchie, Travis, Benjamin and Christopher Poff; nine great-grandchildren; and former wife, Ruth W. Carden. There will be a memorial service held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at Faith Christian Church, 305 Phlegar Street, Christiansburg, with the Rev. Bobby Fuller and the Rev. Mitch Turner officiating. There will be a visitation at 10 a.m. before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Karl 's memory to Faith Christian Church Building Fund or the American Cancer Society. on May 22, 2008.²

     Thomas Franklin Gibbs Sr. was buried at Thornspring Methodist Church Cemetery, Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia.² He was born on May 8, 1922 at Pulaski Co., Virginia.² He married Wilmoth Emily Jane Whitlow, daughter of George Willie Whitlow and Jennie Lind Weeks, on November 26, 1941 at Narrows, Giles Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 Thomas Franklin Gibbs Sr. Thomas Franklin Gibbs Sr., 54, of 8460 Bell Haven Road, NW, Roanoke, died this morning in Lewis-Gale Hospital, Salem. A special agent with the U.S. government, he was born in Pulaski County, May 8,1922, the son of Thomas Harmon Gibbs and Lyda Quesenberry Gibbs of Dora Highway. He was a veteran of World War II and a member and elder of the Primative Baptist Church, Delton. Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his widow, Mrs. Wilmoth Whitlow Gibbs, Roanoke; four sons, Thomas F. Gibbs Jr., Ft. Still, Okla., and Michael A. Gibbs, Landon S. Gibbs and George W. Gibbs, all of Roanoke. Also three sisters, Mrs. Barbara Schrader, Pulaski, Mrs. Fay Thompson, Collinsville, and Mrs. Evelyn Rosenbaum, Rural Hall, N.C; one brother, Ray Gibbs, Beilville, Mich., and two grandchildren. Funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Stevens Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Robert Hill officiating. Burial will follow in Thornspring Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday at Stevens where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on October 15, 1976.² He died on October 15, 1976 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 54.²

     Karl Newton Mowry Jr. was born on September 16, 1948 at Radford, Virginia.^6,4,3,2 He married Carol Ann Jones, daughter of Elmer Gerald "Bish" Jones and Ocie Ann Craft, on November 20, 1971 at Roanoke, Virginia.³ Karl Newton Mowry Jr. and Carol Ann Jones were divorced on June 4, 1982 at Roanoke, Virginia.² Karl Newton Mowry Jr. married Nancy Unknown circa 1984.⁴ Karl Newton Mowry Jr. died on March 22, 2007 at Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona, at age 58.^6,4 He Karl N. Mowry, Jr., 58, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Roanoke, died Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the Tucson Medical Hospice Center with his loving family by his side. Known as K.N., he was born September 16, 1948 in Radford, Va. He will be forever missed by his mother, Ruth W. Carden of Roanoke and his father, Karl N. Mowry, Sr. of Christiansburg. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of 23 years. He leaves behind their son, Seth Mowry of Phoenix, Ariz; daughter, Shannon Turner and husband, Mitch, of Fincastle; stepdaughter, Erin Schumacher of Falls Church, Va; and granddaughters, Alayna and Kylie Turner. He is also survived by his sister, Amber Spikes and husband, Jimmy, niece and nephew, Amanda and Shane; numerous cousins; and many friends both from Tucson and Roanoke. Known for his laugh and warm sense of humor, he showed his compassion for others as a regular Red Cross donor, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, and his involvement with several worthy causes including the homeless. A memorial service will be held at a later date. on April 1, 2007.⁴