She was born Dec. 31, 1931 to Robert and Rose Cooper Ford.
Faye was raised in Cabool, Mo., until the age of 14 when she moved to Milton-Freewater with her family, where she met Dale Sowell.
Dale and Faye were married Feb. 27, 1950 in Lewiston, Idaho. They lived in Pilot Rock until settling in Hermiston in 1962.
Faye was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and enjoyed going in field service with the brothers and sisters.
Faye was very proud of her family and adored her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Faye and Dale loved to travel and visited most of the states. She looked forward to annual camping trips to Sumpter with family and friends. She also loved going crabbing at the Oregon Coast every year with family and extended family. Seafood was one of her favorite foods.
Faye was a wonderful cook and loved cooking for her large family. Faye could often be found in her kitchen playing cards with her daughter Sandy, having Wednesday lunch with her son Steve, hanging out in the garage with her son Roger, fishing with her son Mike or looking at deer with her son Danny. Faye was always with her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandy Ragsdale (Don); grandchildren, Kellie Kristie, Casey and Kassie; great-grandchildren Jordan, Nick, Jeddy, Sophia and Addisyn; and great-great-grandson, Elijah; son, Steve Sowell (Maria); grandchildren Sarah, Jesse and Wesley; great-grandkids, Skylar, Zachary, Andrea, Taylor, Hailey and Allison; and great-great-granddaughter, Ava; son, Mike Sowell; son Roger Sowell (Shannon); grandchildren, Neal, Narita, Dante and David’ great-grandchildren, Peighton, KeiLena, NeoLonii, GrySon, Ezra, and Camden; son, Daniel Sowell (Charlie); grandchildren, Richard, Levi, Danyell, Harley, Shawn, and Emily; and great-grandchildren, Shane, Christian and Nick; daughter-in-law, Val Johnston; and grandchildren, Jason and Angie great grandchildren Darren, Tyler, Leanne, Paige and Dalton; and grandson, Branson.
Faye was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Dale Sowell, a son, Gary Dyer; grandson, Shawn Dyer; her parents; and sisters, Zola Wilson and Jaunita Culp.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 14 2013 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 4 p.m., 2260 N.E. Fourth St., Hermiston.
Contributions may be made in Faye name to Vange John Memorial Hospice at 645 W Orchard Ave., Hermiston.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
