Janet (Vaughan) Sowers

Janet Vaughan Sowers passed away peacefully August 29, 2021 in Pineville, NC after a brief illness.  Janet was born Millie Janet Vaughan October 6, 1924 in Franklin County, NC to Charles Moore Vaughan and Pattie Lou Howell Vaughan.  She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Clyde Sowers who she married March 20, 1948 and her son Richard William Sowers.

Janet is survived by her daughters Tricia Huntington of Matthews, NC, Amy Collins and her husband Frank of Jonesborough, TN, and her daughter-in-law Valerie Sowers of O’Fallon, MO.  She is also survived by her grandson Evan Russell and his fiance Elizabeth Soland of New York, NY, granddaughters Blair Russell of Matthews, NC, Amanda Collins of Chapel Hill, NC, Ellie Collins of Raleigh, NC, and many nieces and nephews.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and brothers Curtis Vaughan, Harold Vaughan, Wilson Vaughan, sisters Verbena Vaughan, Foye Banks, Fannie Maye Axsom, Pat Umphlett, Vernelle Cates, and five half-sisters.

Janet graduated from Mary Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1946.  She worked for many years at Five Oaks Nursing Home in Concord, NC.  Although she retired, she never stopped nursing.  She cared for many of her family members over the years.  She and her husband moved to Kannapolis, NC in 1949 and were very active in the community.  She was a Girl Scout Leader, past president of the Junior Women’s Club, was an officer in the PTA at A.L. Brown High School, and delivered Meals on Wheels for many decades until she moved.  She was a member of Kimball Lutheran Church for over 60 years and served as president of the Women’s Council, taught Sunday School, and spent many years preparing communion.

In 2008, she moved to the Manor in Pineville, NC to be closer to her daughters.  She enjoyed many. years at the Manor and sister property, The Dorchester, where she made many dear friends.  She joined Harrison United Methodist Church and became an active member of her Sunday School class.

Janet was vibrant, intelligent, and funny.  She was ahead of her time on many issues including equal rights for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.  She was proud of her family, loved her friends, and had great faith in her Lord.  She will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew her.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Salisbury with Pastor Kyle McCain officiating.

Janet would prefer people to wear bright colors instead of black to her funeral.  The family requests that everyone wear a mask at the funeral to protect an immunocompromised family member.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cabarrus Meal on Wheels, 342 Penny Lane NE, Concord, NC 28025.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com .