Richard Lee Sowards, 60, of Franklin Furnace and formerly for Columbus, passed away at SOMC on Friday, September 25, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. Richard was born January 8, 1949 in West Hamlin, WV. He was preceded in death by his father, Ellis Sowards; stepfather, Ernest Percell; brother Russell W. Sowards; and a sister, Sandy A. Sowards. He was retired from Bron Shoe Company in Columbus, OH. Richard attended Germany Hollow Freewill Baptist Church. He is survived by two daughters, Denise White of FL and Stephanie (Paul David) Stewart of Albany, OH.; one son, Richard Sowards, Jr. of South Webster; two grandchildren and expecting two more in December; one great-granddaughter; Mother Billie Percell of Franklin Furnace; three sisters, Linda Moore of Wheelersburg, Donetta Sowards of Columbus, and Lisa Blevins of Michigan; two stepsisters, Barbara Lee of Minford and Linda Kay Brewer of South Carolina; two brothers, James Sowards of Wheelersburg and Jeff Sowards of Wheelersburg; one stepbrother, Harold Percell of Friendship. He is also survived by former wife Jeannie Sowards Whitlock of Albany. Thanks to special friends Charlie Keel, Joyce Kegley, Diane Clevinger, Adam, Robbie, and many more as well as the SOMC nurses and staff. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 28, 2009 at Wolfe-Nelson Funeral Home in Sciotoville. Friends may call Sunday from 5-8 p.m. and Monday 10-11 a.m. Interment will be in Vernon Cemetery on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Wolfe-Nelson Funeral Home in Sciotoville is handling the arrangements.