Vertis Horton Sowell died February 12, 2015 at The Chatfield. Graveside services will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Eastlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home. Family visitation was held Friday, February 13, 2015 at the funeral home.
Vertis was born April 19, 1917 to Vernon Smith and Mary Ann (Mae) Clark Smith at Eden, Texas in Concho County. She graduated from Coleman High School, attended North Texas State University and earned a BS in science from Howard Payne University in 1961.
She was married to Archie Horton December 20, 1935, and they shared a life of teaching, retiring from Ector County School District. Breaks were invested in caring for friends and family, as well as travelling with nieces and nephews. Archie passed away June 26, 1996.
Vertis married Herbert Sowell September 1, 1998. They enjoyed 10 years together, and he passed away December 3, 2008.
Vertis was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, the Texas State Teachers Association, and the Texas Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church and the Couples Sunday School Class. She taught Sunday School in churches wherever she had membership and was happy doing the Lord’s work in any place she was ever needed. That often included hosting, advising, and selfless caregiving for a myriad of friends and two large extended families, including four generations of nieces and nephews.
She spent the last part of life happily living at The Chatfield in Brownwood, where she loved the staff and residents and was equally loved by them. The last months of her life, she was under the caring and skillful support of the staff of Solaris Hospice, who served her with grace.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Archie Horton, her second husband Herbert Sowell and her siblings, Roy Smith, Orien Smith, Viola Maples, infant brother James Smith and Hazel Trent.
She is survived by four generations of nieces and nephews who have delighted in caring for her.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity or the Coggin Avenue Baptist Church Building Fund.
Online memorials may be made at davismorrisfuneralhome.com.