Jean Key Sowell
Holman-Headland Mortuary & CremationsViewed: 1554
Posted by: Holman Mortuaries
holmanmortuaries.com
334-693-3371
Date: Sep 13 2021 9:34 AM
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA...Jean Key Sowell, a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Headland, Alabama, passed away early Saturday morning, September 11, 2021, in a St. Petersburg hospital. She was 87.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 in the Headland Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Cecil M. Sanders, Jr. officiating. Holman-Headland Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends following the service. Social distancing guidelines and masks will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Headland Cemetery Fund, 301 E. Church Street, Headland, AL 36345.
Jean Sowell was born March 12, 1934 and reared in Dale County, AL between Skipperville and Clopton. What she lacked in formal education and employment history she more than made up for with grit, determination, moxie, hard work, humor and love for her family. She was not shy about telling you what she thought, which those who knew and loved her learned to admire. These characteristics helped her overcome adversity, including a serious childhood medical condition.
She settled in Headland after marrying her late husband of 66 years, Charles Sowell. Their love for each other was one of storybooks, which the family is blessed to have experienced firsthand for so many years. To help support her family, she “took in sewing” making primarily dresses for a small price. Her eventual goal was to supplement the family income without having to work outside the home. She exceeded that goal and then some. She taught herself to make draperies and window treatments, doing it so well she greatly helped the cause of sending her 3 children to earn university degrees.
She had at least two green thumbs and loved anything that will grow in a yard. She stopped beside the road, dug up and propagated a long leaf pine seedling that is now 75 feet tall in her yard. There are more transplants: a yellow poplar tree now taller than the long leaf pine; and native azaleas, commonly mistakenly called honeysuckle bushes, that now bloom spectacularly in the early spring. She bought lots of stuff and planted that too, while working hard at pulling weeds. The family’s favorite place to enjoy the yard together was around the koi pond. The family’s favorite place to enjoy each other was in the kitchen; she was an excellent cook. She also loved antique furniture and was not afraid of the heavy lifting of refinishing it to perfection. She excelled at several handicrafts, including macrame and crocheting.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Headland.
She was preceded in death by a beloved daughter, Cathy Sowell, her father, James Comer Key, her mother, Maude Gassett Key, a sister, Mary Olive Dykes, and a brother, James Curtis Curt Key. She is survived by a daughter, Shelia Sowell Reilly, St. Petersburg, FL; a son Charles Rene’ Sowell (Janie), Guntersville, AL; a sister, Reba Williams, Dothan; a brother, Dr. Wilton Key, Carrollton, GA; 3 beloved grandchildren, Angela Reilly, Anna Grace Reilly, and Grant Sowell.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
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