Josephine Mustard Stowers

Josephine Mustard Stowers, 91, of Bland, Va., died on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at the home of her daughter in Marion. She was born in Bland County, daughter of the late John Crockett and Effie Wagner Mustard, and no one loved the beauty and people of Bland County more. Josephine worked 25 years as a postal clerk in the Bland Post Office and supported many community organizations and activities including the American Cancer Society, the Bland County Historical Society, the American Red Cross Blood Mobiles and the Bland County Rescue Squad where she volunteered as a dispatcher. She was an elder in the Bland Leyburn Presbyterian Church and served as treasurer of the women of the church for over 40 years. She loved her family and growing and caring for her beautiful flowers which she enjoyed sharing with anyone who stopped by. She loved to play Bridge and Canasta and her house was often filled with friends and laughter. Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Swanson Stowers; four brothers, John Crockett Mustard Jr., James Garland Mustard, Wayne Edward Mustard and Albert Eugene Mustard; and her sister, Marie Umbarger Miller. Survivors include her daughters, Sandra Stowers Lewis and husband, Joseph, of Richmond, Va., and Joanne Stowers Groseclose and husband, Vincent, of Marion, Va.; four grandchildren, Joseph Claude Lewis and wife, Roberta, of Chapin, S.C., Virginia Lewis Neece and husband, Ned, of Marietta, Ga., Jouette Groseclose Rowe and husband, Matthew, of Mathews, Va., and Nicholas Vincent Groseclose, of Marion, Va.; two greatgrandchildren, Emily Nell Neece and Ethan Joseph Neece, of Marietta, Ga.; and two brothers, Jacob Andrew Mustard, of Bland, Va., and Kermit Byrd Mustard, of Pulaski, Va. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends and neighbors who were so caring throughout the years. The family is especially grateful to friend and caregiver, Kim Ball Robinson, and Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their loving care. Funeral services will be held 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2010, at the Bland Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Kathy Haga officiating. A Graveside Service will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2010, at Temple Hill Cemetery in Bland, Va. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 5 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to Bland Leyburn Presbyterian Church, c/o Kim Goins, 40 Main St., Bland, Va. 24315 or to the Bland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 585, Bland, Va. 24315. Highland Bland Funeral Chapel, Bland, Va., is in charge of arrangements.