Maxine Willie Sowder's Obituary
Maxine Willie Bray Sowder ‘Willie Maxine’ Maxine was 97, just 2 months shy of being 98. Maxine was born on April 16, 1925 in Dott, WV to George and Mary Bray. She went home last week February 21st 2023 at 4am in Greensboro, GA. Maxine graduated in 1943 from Matoaka High School. After which, she got married to Woodrow Sowder from Alpoca, West Virginia on March 7, 1944 in Mt Hope, West Virginia. Maxine is the mother of 3 children: Carole Miles (Nelson) Linda Bauer (Ken) Woodrow Sowder Jr (Holly). She is survived by 4 grandchildren: Tammy Brown, Lisa Aeschliman, Ryan Russell, Cara Bauer Fikis. 12 great grand children: Jeffrey, Austin, Lindsey, Ashley, Nichole, Taylor, Ginga, Ashton, Josh Smith, Josh Bauer, Mikayla Cashman. 2 great great grandsons: Tyler and Sebastian, and many nieces and nephew’s. She was preceded in death by her husband Woodrow Sowder. Grand daughter Michele Preston, great grand-daughter Devan Greenfield, 3 brothers Fred, Howard, and Eddie Atlas (Toonie) Bray, and 2 sisters Florence Bledsoe and Mildred McKinney. Maxine was an avid collector of Praying Hands, Angels, and pictures of Grand Children. She loved writing poetry and wrote some very beautiful poems. She, along with Dad were charter members of Gateway Baptist Church where they both served in many positions. Mom particularly loved teaching Sunday School, and attending church on Mother’s Day as she was always looking forward to winning the oldest Mother or the one with the most family there. She would stand proudly when they called her name. Maxine spent over 25 years working at South Miami Hospital where she was Director & Chief of the EKG Department. She was awarded many cerificates of appreciation and dedication. She was loved by all, that were blessed to call her boss. Maxine lived a quiet simple life after Woodrow passed away. She spent most of her time with family and going to church. Maxine left Miami in 2019 to move to Greensboro Georgia where she was a resident at The Glen at Lake Oconee, where she stayed very busy taking care of her “babies” Sophia, Sandy, & Dancing Debbie. She will be missed by all who knew her.
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