Lamar Sowell of Mansfield, passed away January 2, 2017, following a brief illness. He was 88 years of age at the time of his death. Son of the late, Isaac “Ike” Lamar Sowell, Sr. and Martha Belle Duke Sowell, Lamar was born December 16, 1928 in McDonough, GA. Lamar moved to Covington as a young boy, where he later met and married Barbara Penn Sowell, his wife of 60 years. He was a life-long member of Bethany Baptist Church in McDonough and attended Mansfield Baptist Church. Lamar served on the Covington City Council in the early seventies, and was on the Board of Directors for the Covington Housing Authority. His first job was working as the manager of Allen’s Five and Ten Cent Store on the square in Covington. He was well-known for giving many Covington teenagers their first job. In the 1970’s, Lamar opened the Textile Outlet of Covington, next door to their home on Washington Street. He later owned and operated L&S Aluminum Sales, a chain link fence company in Covington. Additionally, he also owned the Village Flea Market on Highway 81. His favorite pastimes included restoring old cars, playing golf, and enjoying hamburgers with friends at Hester’s Pool Room. After retiring he and Barbara enjoyed taking bus trips, spending time at their summer place in Hiawassee, and watching T.V. They especially cherished the time spent with family and friends.
Survivors include his loving wife, Barbara Penn Sowell of Mansfield; sister, Elizabeth Sowell Taylor of Covington; brother and sister-in-law, Ernest and Myrna Sowell of McDonough; brother-in-law, Don Penn and his wife Barbara of Palmdale, CA; nieces, Frieda Aiken and her husband Randy of Covington; Pat Rosser and her husband Harold of McDonough; nephews, Richard Ridling and his wife Clara Sue of Covington, Gary Sowell and his wife Denise of McDonough; Goddaughter, Amanda McCanna and her husband Thomas of Birmingham, AL, and their sons, Isaac, Rob, Andrew, Jack, and Joe.
A Funeral Service for Mr. Sowell will be held Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, with Dr. Jeff Perkins officiating and interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home, one hour prior to his service, from 12 – 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Lamar Sowell may be made to Myasthenia Gravis Association of America, Inc., 355 Lexington Ave., 15th Floor, New York, NY 10017 or online at http://myasthenia.org.
