Velma Martin Sowers

Mrs. Velma Martin Sowers, 102, of Hillsville, Va., passed away Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Trinity Mission of Hillsville. Mrs. Sowers was born November 23, 1907, in Carroll County, Va., to the late Robert Lee and Minnie Marshall Martin. She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Rev. Walter Christa Sowers; a son, Alva Loy Sowers; one sister; and eight brothers. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie S. Kimble and husband, Coy, and Kathleen S. Melton and husband, Earl, all of Hillsville; three grandchildren and spouses, Tammie and Jim Leath, of Galax, Greg Kimble, of Woodlawn, and Kathi M. and Steve Hunter, of Spring Grove, Va.; greatgrandson, Tyler Kimble; twin greatgranddaughters, Trystin and Teagan Kimble; two stepgreatgrandsons and spouses, Evan Julia Hunter, and Eric and Liz Hunter; and by two stepgreatgreatgrandsons, Ryan and Ethan Hunter. Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 23, 2010, at the First Baptist Church in Hillsville with services conducted by Dr. Lawrence Childs with burial to follow in the Rome Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday night 6 to 8 p.m. at the church. Her body will lie in state 30 minutes before the service at the church on Sunday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Picnic Shelter Building Fund at First Baptist Church N. Main St., Hillsville, Va., or to the Cemetery Maintenance Fund at Rome Baptist Church, 925 Rome Rd. Hillsville, Va. The family would like to thank the staff of Trinity Mission of Hillsville for their excellent help and caring and support as well as her friends during this time. Moody Funeral Services is assisting the Sowers family. Online condolences may be made at www.moody funeralservices.com.