Mary Dean Sowders, age 81 of Magnet Cove, died Saturday, May 14, 2016 in Hot Springs. She was born on September 9, 1934 in Brady, Texas to the late C. A. Parish and Gladys Newsom Parish. Reared and educated in Artesia, New Mexico, she had been a resident of Magnet Cove since 1976. She was a homemaker and the wife of Vernon Sowders, to whom she was married on July 13, 1954. Mrs. Sowders was a Presbyterian.

She is survived by her husband, Vernon; her daughter, Suzy Love; her son James Michael Sowders, all of Magnet Cove; four grandchildren, Eric Sowders, LouAnne Sowders, Marc Ham, and David Ham; 10 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Roma Dunn, Ellen Madron, Eddie Blevins, and Bobbie Ranspot.

Mrs. Sowders was also preceded in death by two sons, Chuck and David Sowders, and her twin-sister, Charlene McGary.

Her funeral will be at two o'clock Thursday afternoon, May 19, 2016 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Scott Efird officiating. Interment will follow in the Magnet Cove Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from six until eight o'clock at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Mike Sowders, Eric Sowders, Marc Ham, David Ham, Keith West, and Dale Irons.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.