Ruth "Bonnie" (Batten) Sowell

Mrs. 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, GA on October 22, 1935, she lived in Blackshear with her sister, Sonja, prior to moving to Canton in 2018.  Mrs. Sowell 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 & 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 & Caroline Sowell of Thomson and Joe & Michelle Sowell of Canton; a sister, Sonja Crump of Lakeland, FL; 7 grandchildren, Mark Sowell, Sharon Sowell, Blake (Taylor) Sowell, Bryce (Sheena) Sowell, Emily Sowell, Hunter (Kennedy) Sowell, and Tyler Perkins; 7 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 on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 1until 2 o’clock.

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.

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