Mrs. Ermalyn Sowell Bedwell, age 67, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016 at her home in Hazel Green, AL surrounded by her family. They were members of Plainview Church of Christ. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 25, 2016 at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Edwin Carpenter and Bro. Steve Hale officiating. Burial will follow at Talley Cemetery in Petersburg, TN.
Ermalyn was a native of Marshall County, TN, the daughter of the late Lyndell Dee and Aloise Pack Sowell. Ms. Erma was the founding director of the First Presbyterian Child Care Center, which opened September 7, 1983. She retired at the end of the 2013 school year. She loved her family and gardening and had a special way of always making everyone feel loved.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Terry Bedwell of Hazel Green, AL, daughters Angie (Randy) Taylor of Petersburg, TN and Kimberly Fuller of Meridianville, AL, sons Chris Bedwell of Los Angeles, CA, and Robin (Stephanie) Bedwell of Toney, AL, sister June (Gary) Douglas of Ostella, TN, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Bobby Sowell.
Visitation with the family will be 4 until 8 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Higgins Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to c/o Ermalyn Bedwell Memorial Fund, Bank of Lincoln County, P.O. Box 778, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
21 Comments To "Ermalyn Sowell Bedwell"
#1 Comment By Bettye Thompson Benslay On January 22, 2016 @ 7:22 pm
A dear sweet angel has left this earthly life to be in the place our Lord has prepared for her in heaven as he promised us. I am so sorry Terry and family. she was one beautiful, sweet, loving person who will be greatly missed by so many people who her life has touched in one way or another but never in a bad way because she was only good. l loved my dear friend and will miss her. My love and sympathy to you Terry and your family. Bettye Benslay
#2 Comment By Bettye Benslay On January 22, 2016 @ 7:43 pm
A dear sweet angel has left this earthly life to be in her home our Savior promised to go and prepare for us. Terry and family I am so sorry. She was a wonderful woman who only had good in her. Much love to you Terry and all of your family and my deepest sympathy to you all. Bettye.Thompson Benslay
#3 Comment By Melissa Pitts On January 22, 2016 @ 8:14 pm
Mrs. Erma will always have a special place in our family’s hearts. She was a very special lady. Always loving, kind and full of joy. She always had a smile on her face and a very contagious laugh. She will be missed by many and her legacy will live on through all of the children’s lives she touch led through the years including our daughter Sydney. Not only was she Sydney’s teacher she was also my husband’s. We will miss her more than words can say. Her family is in our prayers.
#4 Comment By Marilyn Pigg Boyette On January 22, 2016 @ 8:15 pm
Loved this sweet, sweet lady! Praying for Terry & the rest of the family that you will feel God’s comforting arms wrapped around you!
#5 Comment By Ben Renegar On January 22, 2016 @ 8:17 pm
Summers once meant getting to spend a week with Aunt Aloise, Uncle Butch, June, Bobby, and Ermalyn. Erma was just a year older, so I gravitated towards her and learned a lot about good manners, family relationships, and having a lot of fun with my cousins. After one of my childish pranks which got me into hot water, Erma and a couple of others held me down and smeared red lipstick across my face from ear to ear. Even after I washed it off my face, you could still see a little red stain for a few days. It was funny, and every body laughed when they heard the story. Lesson learned! I will never forget the special times with Ermalyn.
#6 Comment By Marilyn Pigg Boyette On January 22, 2016 @ 8:20 pm
Love this sweet, sweet lady!! To know her was to love her & her sweet smile! Praying that Terry & the rest of the family will feel God’s comforting arms around them!
#7 Comment By augusta gooch On January 22, 2016 @ 8:26 pm
what a great smile!!!!
Wonderful to love & be loved.
#8 Comment By Dianne Cashion Sumruld. On January 22, 2016 @ 8:34 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very sad time. I remember both Terry and Ermalyn as neighbors and classmates in Petersburg. Loved the smiles always given by both.
#9 Comment By Lenace Hyde vaughn On January 22, 2016 @ 8:46 pm
Angie, Kim, and all the family of Mrs. Erma,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mom! She was truly a lady of grace! Mrs. Erma was the icon for the children at First Pres. And loved by them all. Know we are praying for you all during this most difficult time.
Love always ,
Lenace Hyde Vaughn and family
#10 Comment By Mary sue(warren)Green On January 22, 2016 @ 8:57 pm
I’m so sorry for the passing of Ermalyn. She was a very sweet and caring beautiful lady. May God wrap his arms around each of you and comfort you during this sad time and in the days to come.
#11 Comment By cindy and jo-ann whorley On January 22, 2016 @ 9:06 pm
terry ,so sorry about erma ,god bless you and your family, we are praying for all of you love n hugs cindy n jo-ann
#12 Comment By Bettye Benslay On January 23, 2016 @ 1:53 am
Terry and family I am so sorry. An angel left this world and went to the place our Lord went before her to prepare as he promised us he would. Ermalyn was one of the nicest. sweetest.loving people I have ever known. I shall strive to be more like her. Love to you all. Bettye Thompson Benslay
#13 Comment By Susan Thompson On January 23, 2016 @ 5:40 am
So very sorry to hear of your loss…my thoughts and prayers are with the family.
#14 Comment By Joe Luther On January 23, 2016 @ 2:20 pm
Terry,
So very sorry to hear of the death of your wife. Anne and I will be praying for you. we certainly appreciate the friendship of the past.
May God bless you and your family.
Joe Luther
#15 Comment By Amy Edwards On January 23, 2016 @ 4:54 pm
Such a wonderful lady and loving teacher to so many children. My children loved her and their time at 1st Pres. She will be sorely missed.
#16 Comment By Betty Gatlin Bryan On January 23, 2016 @ 7:29 pm
June, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your sister. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. We have lots of good memories of the Sowell family.
#17 Comment By cindy and jo-ann whorley On January 24, 2016 @ 2:21 am
terry so sorry about erma,may god bless you and your family we are praying for all of you
love always cindy and Jo-Ann whorley
#18 Comment By Marilyn Sullivan Hart On January 24, 2016 @ 6:41 pm
I am very sorry to hear about this loss. We grew up and went to school together. She will be missed by all. Erma was a very sweet and person and kind to everyone.
#19 Comment By Jason & Barb Schultz On January 24, 2016 @ 8:21 pm
Rob, Steph & Evan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family during this difficult time. We wish we could be there for you guys, but we are thinking of you.
All our love,
Jay & Barb
#20 Comment By Tami Schumacher Darnell, Tara Schumacher Thomas, Keith and Patti Schumacher On January 24, 2016 @ 10:28 pm
We are sorry for your loss. Mrs. Erma was a very special person. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
#21 Comment By John and Barb Rickman Tullahoma, TN On January 27, 2016 @ 2:25 pm
Our thoughts and prayers to Terry and family. Erma was a gracious lady we remember fondly.