Sowers, Sr., Louis Gale

Louis Gale Sowers, Sr., 70, of Riner, died Friday, October 26, 2012, at Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem. Born on March 20, 1942, he was preceded in death by his parents, Mosby & Bleeka Whitenack Sowers; and a sister, Norma Sowers Martin. A graduate of Auburn High School, Class of 1960, Louie was a charter and honorary lifetime member of the Riner Volunteer Fire Department. He was the owner/operator of L.G.S. Inc. Trucking based in Riner. Louie also raised beef cattle on his farm and loved to collect antique John Deere tractors. Saturday nights he could be found at the Classic Car Cruise-in at Kmart in Christiansburg and most mornings were spent drinking coffee and shooting the breeze with his friends at Hardee’s or the Riner Food Center. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Johnson Sowers; a daughter & son-in-law, Susan & Kevin Light; a son, L.G. Sowers, Jr.; and three grandchildren, Katherine Rose, Henry Louis and Hayley Elizabeth, all of Riner. He is also survived by a brothers-in-law, Gary Johnson & wife Kathy and Jack Martin; a niece and two nephews; as well as a multitude of cousins and close friends. Louie was a friend to all and a stranger to none and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. The family would like to thank Dr. Raymond Harron and the nurses on 2nd floor SICU who took excellent care of Louie and are as devastated by his passing as anyone else. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 28, 2012, from 5-8 pm at Horne Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 29th at 1 pm in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jerry Hylton officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in honor of Louie to Auburn United Methodist Church, 3940 Five Points Road, Riner, VA 24149, or to the Riner Volunteer Fire Department, P O Box 11, Riner, VA 24149.