Marie Ann Sowards

Marie Ann Sowards was born September 13, 1971, to Raymond and Beverly Sowards.

She departed this life to be with Jesus, His angels, and her loved ones on February 26, 2026.

Marie is survived by her father, Raymond; her mother, Beverly; her sister, Rhonda Goddard; and her brother, Mark Sowards.

Marie was saved in 1981 and traveled with her parents across the United States as they went from church to church raising support for the mission field in the Great Northwest. They ministered in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, where they started the First Pioneer Baptist Church. Later, they went to the Colville Indian Reservation in northeast Washington, where they worked with Brother Bob Phillips to help start three Indian Baptist churches.

Marie had many friends from Washington to Missouri and beyond. She was often on the phone calling and keeping in touch with them. She also had many friends at Walmart in Ozark, where they regularly shopped. She loved her church, Grace Bible Baptist Church.

She loved Sis. Shirley, Sis. Rosie, and Sis. Sherry. She loved the Dunns, the Grays, the Norwood's, Pastor Reaves and Sister Rachel, Kayla, and Natasha. She also loved Sis. Debra, her grandchildren, and Sis. Lisa. She never met a fellow Christian she didn’t like.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Grace Bible Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.  Pastor John W. Reaves will be officiating the funeral service. Burial will follow the service at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Missouri.  Visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m.