Alice "Irene" Sowards

Alice “Irene” Sowards, age 84 of Massillon, Ohio, passed away on April 20, 2021, surrounded by her family. Alice was born on November 20, 1936 in Whitman, West Virginia to Sherman and Mamie (Mannon) Stewart. She was an active member of First Baptist Church in Massillon and spent a lot of time with the ladies who taught with her at Sunday school. Alice took bus trips and played bingo with the Senior Citizen Community Center. She enjoyed sewing, playing games and puzzels, reading, and doing yard work. Alice loved spending time with her family and attended many of her grandchildren’s sporting events. She liked watching Ohio State football with her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Paul Sowards, son, Michael Sowards, and brothers, Ray, Jack, and Jimmie Stewart. She is survived by her children, Karen (Ross) Hoopes, Carolyn (Alan) Haley, Eddie (Erin) Sowards, and Amy (Leroy) Kuhns, grandchildren, Elizabeth (Robert) Horton, Rebecca (A.J.) Jones, Amber (Kenny) Marthey, Billy (Staphanie) Haley, Kirstie (Mike) Ogden, Cory Sowards, Morgan Cross, Megan Cross, Lindsay Gerber, Cole (Lovina) Kuhns, Michaela (Seth) Reiner, Jesse (Maisey) Kuhns, and Faith (Ryan) Kuhns, and 18 great-grandchildren. Friends and family may come to call on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 10-11 a.m. at Paquelet Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. A special thank you to the Mercy Hospice team, Kathleen, Carlene, and Tina, and Mercy Oncology and Radiation. Continuing with COVID-19 precautions, all attending will be asked to follow proper social distancing protocol and masks are required.