Ruth “Bonnie” Batten Sowell, 89, of Canton, formerly of Nahunta, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper.
Born in Nahunta October 22, 1935, she lived in Blackshear with her sister, Sonja, prior to moving to Canton in 2018. She had worked for Okefenokee EMC in their accounting department for many years before opening the M &S Kwik Stop in Sparta which she ran for many years before her retirement.
She was a hard worker and an avid reader. A true southern lady, she enjoyed the weekly trips to the beauty shop as well as her lunch dates with her cousins. She was a member of Nahunta First Baptist Church.
She was a daughter of the late Joe and Mary Edna Hendrix Batten. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Edward Sowell Sr.; her daughter, Sheryle Perkins; a son, Johnny E. Sowell Jr. and four sisters, Mary Irene Prichard, Junell Sechrest, Myra Jo Batten and Deloris Janousek.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Caroline Sowell, Thomson and Joe and Michelle Sowell, Canton; a sister, Sonja Crump, Lakeland, FL; seven grandchildren, Mark Sowell, Sharon Sowell, Blake (Taylor) Sowell, Bryce (Sheena) Sowell, Emily Sowell, Hunter (Kennedy) Sowell and Tyler Perkins; seven great-grandchildren, Mark Sowell Jr., Serena Sowell, Chelsea Sowell, Amiyah Renfroe, Liam Sowell, Lailah Sowell and Parker Sowell and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, June 14.
Interment will be in the Bethlehem Cemetery in Brantley County.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
