Iris Sowers

Iris Fox Sowers, 88, passed away of age related natural causes on July 7, 2011, in Marietta, Georgia. A native of Iredell County, Mrs. Sowers had lived in Georgia since 2004 to be near her daughter and family. � Mrs. Sowers was born July 4, 1923, to the late Earl Dewitt Fox and Bertie Stine Fox of the Cool Spring community. She was married on August 15, 1942, to the late Carl Edgar Sowers. They were married for 52 years and made their home in Statesville. A member of the Cool Spring United Methodist Church in Cleveland, NC, Mrs. Sowers served as a beloved Sunday School teacher and member of the church administrative board. She loved her church and she loved the Cool Spring community and its people. Growing up in the Cool Spring school system, Iris Fox Sowers graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She later attended Mitchell College and felt a lifelong commitment to the college. Family and friends remember Iris is many different ways. Many people remember one of Iris' favorite sayings, "Thank You, thank You, Lord! I don't deserve it, but I sure do appreciate it." Her joy for life blessed many. That same joy carried her through to the end of her long, loving, and productive life. Iris Sowers is remembered by many for the years she was employed by WSIC/WFMX Radio in Statesville. For 42 years, before her retirement at age 78, Iris was part of the sales team and also served as Assistant Manager for the radio station. A friend to all and to many in the Statesville business community, Mrs. Sowers loved her work and her friends. When recognized at her retirement party in 2001, she was amazed at the love and respect given by the radio family and the community. She was presented with a key to the city, and July 1, 2001, was officially proclaimed "Iris Sowers Day" by then mayor, Johnny Marshall. On that date, her own family learned for the first time that Iris Sowers was recognized in her industry as the first woman in radio/television sales and advertising in the US. Clear Channel, then the parent company of WSIC/WFMX, sent many Clear Channel women vice presidents to her retirement party. Iris said, "I don't understand what all the fuss is about. All I did was help my friends get on the radio." Iris Sowers was the founder of the Little Miss Statesville Beauty Pageant, on behalf of WSIC Radio, and enjoyed that yearly event, as well as watching all her "Little Misses" grow up. They, in turn, showed her great love and respect over the years as the pageant girls honored her in many special ways. Iris Sowers participated in the organization and presentation of many other radio station events, enjoying them all. She also was a member of the Junior Service League, and later, a member of the Women's Civic Club. Iris Stine Fox Sowers is survived by her daughter, Edwina, and her husband Johnny Holland, of Marietta, GA. She is survived by her son, Dennis Sowers, and his wife Claudia, of Las Vegas, NV. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Isabella Iris Sowers, Brianna Sowers, Wendy Holland Stone and J. Andrew Holland, and three great grandchildren: John Barrett Stone, Lauren Alexandra Holland and Kaegan Stone. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones in the Sowers, Fox and Stine families. The celebration funeral for the life of Iris Sowers will be held at the Cool Spring United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Visitation and family greeting will be held in the church fellowship hall for one hour prior to the funeral. Evening visitation will be held at Nicholson Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, from 6:30 till 8:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be sent to (1) Cool Spring Methodist Church Scholarship (for Mitchell College students) 1902 Mocksville Highway, Cleveland, NC 27013 (704) 873-8462 (2) Jane Shaw Myers Scholarship for Fox cousins to Mitchell College Mitchell Community College - Attn: Tracy Rapp - (704) 878-3254 500 West Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677 The family of iris Sowers would like to say "Thank You, thank You, Lord. We didn't deserve her, but we sure do appreciate it!" Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Iris Sowers.