Bette Ruth Sowards

Bette Ruth Sowards, 78, a life-long citizen of New Boston, died Sunday, April 19, 2009 while in residency at SOMC Hospice. Bette was born July 24, 1930, the second daughter and youngest child of the late Wiley Rister and Lucielle Horsley Rister. She was preceded in death long ago by several brothers and more recently by her husband of more than 32 years, Lester Sowards and her beloved sister, Lena Rister. Bette is survived by a son, Koy Lane Sowards and his wife Karen now residing in Clinton Township, Ohio and a daughter, Nancy Jean VanKirk and husband David VanKirk formerly of McDermott now living in Springboro, Ohio; three grandsons, John, Scott and Adam; one granddaughter, Melanie Ramey and five great-grandchildren. Bette rarely had a critical word for anyone, her bywords were tolerance and forgiveness and she loved life, even through suffering. She love God and was loved by all those who knew her. She will be sorely missed. Services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, April 23, 2009 at D.W. Swick Funeral Home in New Boston with burial at Scioto Burial Park. Visitation will be Wednesday 6 to 8 PM and Thursday 9:30 to 10:30 AM at D.W. Swick in New Boston. Online condolences to dwswickfuneralhome.com.