Norma Sowell

Graveside services for Norma Schunior Sowell, 87, of Nacogdoches will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Laird Funeral Home.
Norma Schunior Sowell was born on September 6, 1934, in Corpus Christi to Robert Nicholas Schunior and Clothilde Cantu Schunior. Starting at the young age of 10 years old, Norma was taught to play classical piano. This started her love for music. She loved playing the piano so much that when she left her parent's house, she pleaded to keep the piano she spent so many hours practicing on. After Norma graduated high school, she moved to Houston and started living a life of her own. It was while living in Houston she met the love of her life Gene Sowell. Everyday Norma and Gene would talk over the back fence until it got too dark and had to go back inside. They finally wed on February 11, 1956 and lived a happy 57 years together before his passing in 2013.
The church has always been influential in Norma's life. Whenever the doors were open, she tried to attend. This allowed her to touch many people's lives. While living in Houston, she faithfully went to Saint Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. Then, when Norma and Gene moved to East Texas, she devoted her time in worship to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and continued there until she was no longer able.
To Norma's children she was the epitome of goodness, and responsibility. For many years she worked as the Executive Secretary of Houston Belt & Terminal Railroad, and it taught her how to be wise with money and her time. If anyone spent time with her, it was never time wasted. By the time Norma was 45 years old, she had saved up enough money for her and Gene to retire. It was during this time that they decided to move from the fast-paced life of Houston to the slower, calmer life of Chireno, Texas. She and Gene enjoyed every moment of retirement together.
Moving to Chireno was one of the best things that ever happened to Norma. Whether she was planting vegetables in her luxurious garden or just taking a relaxing breath of fresh air, she loved the outdoors. The time she spent relaxing allowed her to think about life's great questions. To anyone that knew her, she was loving, wise, and kind. People would seek her out for advice. She never met a stranger and would even give the clothes off her back to help someone in need. Overall, she wanted to treat others how she would want to be treated.
Norma Schunior Sowell was survived by her daughters Nita Huguley & husband Tony, and Debra Sowell Harris; sons, David Mark Sowell, and Eric Heath Sowell; sisters, Cynthia Schunior, Sylvia Kirkland, Ada Mazariegos & husband Charles; grandchildren, Maya, Catherine, Cassandra, Jacob, Rebekah, Rachel, and Ethan; great-grandchildren, Aeralyn, Orin, Ian, Preston, Allyse, Caleb, Camille, Casen, and Colette; and many other nieces and nephews.
Norma Schunior Sowell is preceded in death by her parents Robert Nicholas Sr. & Clothilde Cantu Schunior; brothers, Hector Schunior, and Robert Nicholas "Bobby" Schunior; and sister, Clothilde "Tillie" Schunior.
The Sowell family is being served by Laird Funeral Home. To offer condolences or to sign an online register, visit lairdfh.net.
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