Louise LeBourhis Sowell was born on August 12, 1929 in Deemer, Mississippi. She was the second of four children born to Nancy Eugenia Sumrall LeBourhis and Jean Mathurin LeBourhis. Louise was born at the beginning of the Great Depression, and lived her teenage years during the Second World War. Growing up in these circumstances instilled in her a strong work ethic, gave her an abiding faith and a love for family, all of which she maintained throughout her life.
She graduated from Leakesville High School. Louise married J.N. Sowell in 1950, and they had four children: Ronald, Larry, Debbie, and Regina. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage until J.N. passed away in 2018. Their marriage was full of love and affection for one another until the end of J.N.’s life. Louise had a heart for children and those in need, which she demonstrated through the way she spent her time. She was a longtime member of Wilmer Baptist Church, where she worked in Vacation Bible School and volunteered in the nursery. She enjoyed working in the bus ministry and teaching a Sunday School class for individuals with special needs, several of whom she continued relationships with for years. Louise also volunteered in the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program at Moffett Road Baptist Church alongside her daughter, Debbie. Louise worked in the cafeterias at Wilmer Elementary and Orchard Elementary, where she was known for her genuine care for the children that she served.
Alongside her husband, she worked as the first bookkeeper and secretary for the Fairview Water Board, which created a public water system that brought dependable water service to the rural areas of Fairview. Louise loved flowers and working in her yard until her later years. She loved to listen to gospel music and preaching. Louise had a strong Christian faith and desired to pass that down to her family. She leaves a legacy of a life lived by the guiding principles of the Christian faith and of a lifelong commitment to marriage, and she was proud that her children and grandchildren had chosen to follow that same path.
Louise went home to her Lord and to be reunited with her beloved husband on November 16, 2020. She is survived by her children, Ronald (Polly) Sowell, Larry (Denise) Sowell, Debbie (Darrell) Bennett, and Regina (Hugh) Mathews, her four grandchildren, Michael (Kym) Sowell, Casey (R.J.) Voorhees, Kelly (Jake) Curtis, and Tyler (Ashford) Mathews, and her eleven greatgrandchildren, all of whom loved their “Maw-Maw.” She is also survived by her brother, Frank LeBourhis.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Wilmer Baptist Church at 11:00am with the family receiving friends at the church from 10:00am until 11:00am. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Wilmer Community Cemetery. Flowers are welcomed, or in lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army.
