Lillian Gaynelle Sowder

Mrs. Lillian Gaynelle Sowder, age 81, of Dalton, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at ParkWest Hospital in Knoxville, TN.
She was born August 31, 1933 in Walland, Tennessee to the late John B. and Viola Hurst Gillespie. Gaynelle worked in the office of the Church of God of the Union Assembly for over 30 years. She was an active member and served as a Christmas play instructor for the young girls for many years. Gaynelle was a devoted wife and mother and loved the Lord.
She is preceded in death by her late husband, Rev. Harold Sowder of Dalton, GA, sister, Evelyn Gillespie, and brother, Otha Gillespie of Maryville, TN.
She is survived by her children: daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Rocky Johnson of Luttrell, TN, Linda and Ricky Merritt of Luttrell, TN, Margarita and John Harmon of Newnan, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Herbie Caron and Michelle Sowder of Cleveland, TN; grandchildren, Beth and Dakota Collins, Rondo Johnson, Jeremy and Alison Merritt of Luttrell, TN., Corey and Amber Smith, Amanda, McKinley, Zachary and Payton Sowder of Cleveland, TN., Mason, Benjamin and Katie Beth Harmon of Newnan, GA; great-grandchildren, Aidan Smith and Deacon Collins; sister, Margaret Gillespie; brother and sister-in-law, Theodore and Cecile Gillespie of Athens, TN; nieces and nephews.
Services to honor Gaynelle are Saturday at 2P.M. from the Church of God of the Union Assembly with the Rev. Paul Thomas Hughes and Rev. Rodney Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow in West Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home on Friday from 5 until 9 P.M.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com. Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave. (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.