Louise Hurd Sowders age 81, of Barbourville, was born on June 10, 1932 in Knox County, Kentucky. She was a daughter of the late Marion Hurd and Birdie Warren Hurd. Mrs. Sowders died, Sunday, February 23, 2014 at her home. She was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was a Head Start Teacher in Knox County for twenty-seven years before retiring. On February 12, 1950, she united in marriage to William F. "Bill" Sowders and to this union five beloved children were born.

Along with her parents, Mrs. Sowders was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, a sister, Helen Bingham and two brothers, Marion Hurd Jr. and Denver Hurd.

Mrs. Sowders is survived by her daughter; Debra Brock and husband, Carl of Corbin; her sons; Rev. Larry Sowders Sr. and wife, Londa of Barbourville; John Sowders and wife Christina of Clinton, Tennessee; Darrell Sowders and wife, Elizabeth of Heidrick; and Marion Sowders and wife, Lana of Liberty, Kentucky; her grandchildren; Larry Jr., Jamie, Whitney, Stephanie, Karra, Lauren, Delaney, Rhegan, Reese and Riley; her great grandchildren; Hannah, Micah, Noah, Layla and Brylee; her sister, Deanna Messer of Corbin and dear sister-in-law, Grace Cole of Hamilton, Ohio; several special nieces, nephews and friends to mourn her passing.

Funeral Services for Louise Hurd Sowders will be conducted in the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel, Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Larry Sowders Sr. and Rev. Larry Sowders Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Barbourville Cemetery with Jamie Sowders, Carl Brock, Travis McDaniel, Alex Jones, Kevin Merida and Coty Walters serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Members of the Mill Creek Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church. Friends will be received at the Hopper Funeral Home, Wednesday after 5:00 pm and Thursday after 10:00 am until the funeral hour at 2:00 pm.