Pearly Joyce (Koch) Sowell

Pearly Joyce Koch was born in New Braunfels, Texas, and lived to be 100. She was a force of nature, a world traveler, a groundbreaker, a talented musician and singer; a writer of music, short stories, two books; and a successful businesswoman. She was a fearless mother who raised her children to be god-fearing, hardworking, and family-loving adults.

Her music career started early, with piano lessons at age five; and accordion at age nine. Her older brother, also an accomplished musician, was playing piano with the Kanz Band when the accordion player fell sick before performance. Laurence suggested his little sister take over the keyboard so he could play the heavier accordion for the four-hour gig. All went well, and Pearly was paid $4.00 for four hours at the piano on stage. She was the colonel of the Mighty Unicorn Band, class of 1944.

She went on to achieve competency with the accordion, French horn, trombone, trumpet, piano and organ. She taught piano; and performed in bands and orchestras around the world. She played at weddings, churches, concert halls, dance halls and the Plaza in New Braunfels. The last fifty years of her life, she led the popular Oma and the Oompahs bringing joy to countless numbers of fans.

Married at age seventeen to Charlie Smith, she took on a new job, that of military wife and athlete. She was a competitive bowler, bowling in state events on the Comal Cotton sponsored team! When her husband was stationed in Alaska, he left her and the two children behind. When she grew tired of waiting for him to arrange for their transportation, she loaded the car with a handful of belongings, four-year-old daughter Carol and baby Gary. They left their home in New Braunfels, driving north northwest through plains and mountains to the west coast. There they caught a ferry, then boarded a train, taking them to their new home in Anchorage.

Once there, they lived in a small apartment before moving to a trailer park. It did not take long before Pearly was hired to manage the park. As busy as she was, she made time to polish up her golfing skills and won first place in the Alaska Women’s Championship. And serve as the church organist! After their time in Alaska, the Air Force saw fit to transfer them to the tip of Texas, before sending them back to New Braunfels.

Their next stop was to be the island of Guam. They lived there for two years, with too many stories to share. There is one story though that must be told. When the church organist on base did not show up for Sunday morning service, Pearly did and immediately was offered the job. Of course. It did not take long for her reputation to spread all the way to a small village desperately in need of an organist. She took on the challenge. Every Sunday after playing at the chapel on base, she drove into the jungles of central Guam to play an antique Japanese organ for the tiny church and its parishioners.

Upon returning to the States, first to Derby Kansas then back to New Braunfels, she continued her work as church organist and choir director. She taught piano to dozens of children in her home studio. When her daughter started performing in the New Braunfels Summer Little Theatre, she pressured her mother to join her on stage. Soon Pearly was performing in multiple shows, often with son David playing in the stage band.

As time went on, she was hired as Distribution Manager of the San Antonio Express and News for New Braunfels and surrounding areas. She earned her Real Estate licensure, helping people buy and sell their properties, and accumulated half a dozen rental properties of her own. In the same breath, she and her son David put together a highly successful band, Oma and the Oompahs, performing throughout Texas and Oklahoma for forty years before she retired at age 95. During those years Pearly traveled to Germany fourteen times. After one of those trips, she introduced the "Chicken Dance" song to the crowds at Wurstfest. It was an immediate hit and remains so even now in Central Texas, and throughout the world wherever German music is played! The band continues today, under David’s leadership as The Oompahs!

In September,1971 she met John Sowell at the County Fair in New Braunfels. Three months later they were married and it lasted until his death in 2009.

She leaves behind her beloved children: Carol Pierce-Davis and her husband, Stephen E. Davis and children Scott Dasch (and his son Justin Dasch), Zachary Pierce (and his wife Erica, and children Joshua, Jessica, and Jacob) and Heather Benton (and husband Scott Benton and children Lyla Pearl and Dean). Son Gary Smith, (Great grandchildren, Izzie Smith Kerbo and Nola Smith), and children Janera Smith, Chase Smith (wife Jenny, baby Nola); and son Sam Smith. And David Smith and wife Suzanne (daughters Alyssa and husband Judd and their sons James and Smith; and Chelsea and husband Travis and their son Owen.) Pearly also leaves behind her beloved stepdaughter Cary Lynn Sowell, with whom she enjoyed multiple visits, holidays, travels, cruises, and dinners together.

Tragically, Son Mark Smith was hit by a drunk driver at the age of seven. It is the loss a mother never forgets.

Her last years of life were spent surrounded by family and friends, far too many to name but especially Chris and Ken Stroud, Sandy and Woody Simpson, Candace and Jimmy and Shannon Scheibe; and priceless caregivers, Dora Reyes, and Ophelia Godinez.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 5-8 pm at Zoeller Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 11:00 am at New Braunfels Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New Braunfels Church of Christ Caring and Sharing Fund