Joseph Raymond Sowards, Sr., 87

Joseph Raymond Sowards, Sr., 87 of West Portsmouth died Monday September 1, 2014 at SOMC Hospice. He was born July 24, 1927 in Scioto County to the late Press and Elizabeth Katherine Schuler Sowards. He was retired from Empire Detroit Steel and was a member of Rubyville Community Church. Along with his parents Joe is preceded in death by his wife Sadie M. Givens Sowards, 2 sons; Joseph Raymond Sowards Jr. "Joe Bob" and Richard Tony "Rick" Sowards, son in law Gary Ridout, 4 brothers; Pete, Paul, John and David, and 2 sisters Virginia Shepherd and Blanche Hafer. Joe is survived by 2 daughters; Donna Ridout and Tina (Jeff) Smith all of West Portsmouth, a daughter in law Michelle Sowards of Columbus, 2 sisters; Juanita Lewis of Blue Creek and Linda (Kenny) Hodge of West Portsmouth, 7 grandchildren; Christie (Mac) Hurst, Jennifer (Mike) Chaney, Jeffery Smith, Mark (Jessie) Ridout, Laci (Josh) Simpson, Sarah (Jason) Castle, and Alan Sowards, 8 great grandchildren; Connor, Easton, Cameron, Dalton, Rachael, Ezra, Wyatt, and Shannon, along with a special niece Connie Wroten and friend Stanley Yazzel who cared for him and loved him. Funeral services will be 12:00pm Thursday September 4, 2014 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Reverend Calvin Ray Evans and Brian Baer officiating. Interment will be in Friendship Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8:00pm on Wednesday and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com