Ernest Claude Sowards

Rev. Ernest Claude Sowards, 77, of Huntington, W.Va., lost his battle with progressive supranuclear palsy and went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. He was born August 14, 1928 in Huntington, W.Va. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Margie Stallard Sowards; daughter, Carolyn, and husband, Danny Brown. PaPa leaves a very special grandson, Jonathan Lee Brown. Ernest, Jr. was preceded in death by his dad and mom, Rev. E. C. Sowards, Sr. and Laura; his brother, Rev. B. J. Sowards and, among others, a very special Aunt, Maude Sowards Peters. He is also survived by his brother?s widow, Barbara, with their children and families; Deb Sites, Suzi Adkins, Rev. Chris Sowards, special family friend, Betty Archer and many, many other relatives and friends. ?Ernie? was a journeyman printer and a veteran of the Korean War. He was an ordained minister (Honorary) of the United Pentecostal Church, Intl., and served as Presbyter of Section 4. He was editor of the UPCI WV District News for ten years and was pastor of 25th Street Pentecostal Church, Huntington, W.Va. for many years. He attended Open Door Apostolic Church, Charleston, W.Va. after retirement and was Honorary Associate Pastor with the Late Rev. B. J. Poff at New Life Tabernacle, Wayne, W.Va. He was a member of Pentecostal Truth Ministries, Huntington, W.Va., pastored by Rev. Janet Mounts and husband, Kenneth. Bro. Sowards possessed rare, God-given traits of meakness(not weakness), tough love, honesty and Godliness. He was a great Christian, shepherd, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Everyone who knew and loved him believed that he lived by his motto, ?Be Transparent.? He was cared for in his home by his wife, daughter, and of course, Jonathan. The family would like to give special thanks of support to the Hospice of Huntington Team which included Jo Ghiz, Dee Kelly and Margie Copley; doctors, Linda Savory and Shelley Bailey; special nurse, Connie Yates, caregiver Linda Toppings and the Pentecostal Truth Ministries. We can?t thank you enough. Visitation will be in the Sanctuary of Pentecostal Trust Ministries, located at 1208 Adams Avenue, Huntington on Friday, March 3, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Per his request, graveside service will be held in the White Chapel Mausoleum 1:00 p.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to Pentecostal Truth Ministries or Hospice of Huntington. Remembrance messages may be sent to the Reger Funeral Home at www.timeformemory.com/reger.