Obituary of Minnie Sowell

SOWELL, Minnie (Brown) Age 77 of Horseheads, NY. She was born March 31, 1938 in Elmira, NY, daughter of the late Gordon and Mattie (Givens) Brown, passed away peacefully Friday, October 30, 2015 at Bethany Manor. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by, a child: James Gordon, and grandchild: Maurice Louis, sisters: Mattie Mae Moore and Pearl Harris and brother: Robert Brown. She is survived by her husband: Lester Sowell, her children: Lester Kenneth (Susan) Sowell of Ithaca, NY and his children; Logan, Kameron and Kimberly: Duane (Danita) Sowell of Bristow, VA and his daughters; Sarah, Erica, Jessica, Brittany, and their son Andrew; Teri (Douglas) Bowers of Nashville, TN and her son Marlon; Ricky (Cathy) Sowell of Severna, MD and their children; Kennady and Avery; Earl (Christine) Sowell of Horseheads, NY and their daughter, Elizabeth,, 15 cherished great-grandchildren, her sisters: Gladys Keith and Betty Better, her aunt: Ruby "Sister" (Felton) Wells, dear cousin: Linda Thomas, along with several nieces nephews and cousins to cherish her memory. She retired from Corning Inc. after 30 years of service.After her retirement Minnie had breakfast every morning with her boyfriend Dr. Phil and loved watching Joel Osteen. She did not miss a Sunday with Bobbie Jones Gospel. Every Monday through Friday she lived life at 12:30 with the Young and Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. She was a faithful committed member of Monumental Baptist Church. Serving God and his people with the Pastors Aid Ministry. She spent many hours helping with dinners and happily helped in any capacity needed. She arrived at church early on Sunday mornings to claim her designated, undesignated seat. During her 30 years at Corning Inc. Minnie worked in the production department and was a fast paced worker. She loved chewing gum, as fast as she chewed her gum she moved the product. She would dictate to others on the line how fast they needed to work to get a product out, but no one could keep up with her. She opened her home to everyone, she had 5 children of her own, and could end of with seven or more children at one time. She made sure everyone had their own bed, dresser, closet space and everything else they needed. Everyone loved her macaroni and cheese, baked beans, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, and her grandchildren loved her spaghetti. She made sure tang and steak-ums were in the house when she could not prepare a meal. Her sweet potato puff was the ultimate best, no one could duplicate it, we tried but the verdict is still out. She loved to dance and she loved her music; ”green eyes”, Smokey Robinson was her favorite. She was a joy to be around and loved to be with her family and friends. Just seeing her smile brought out the best in all of us. She will be greatly missed. Family and friends are invited to visit Walter J. Kent Funeral Home, 858 Lake St. at Washington Ave., Elmira, on Wednesday, November 4th, from 10 to 11 am. Minnie's funeral service will be held at 11 am. Bishop Phillip Thomas and Rev. Arthur Keith officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may remember Minnie through donations to Alzheimer's Association, 435 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14620.