Sharon Sowards

Longtime Manassa resident Sharon Sowards, 84, died March 9, 2023, at the San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center in Alamosa.

Sharon’s life began on Jan. 16, 1939, at home in Sanford, Colo., where she was born to Birl Gilbert Reed and LaVina Marvelle Reynolds Reed. She married the love of her life, Larry N. Sowards, in the Mesa, Ariz., Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Feb. 11, 1960.

Sharon loved music. In her younger years, she would play the piano for her husband Larry, who sang at many weddings and funerals. She was a big sports fan and loved watching her “Duke” boys and BYU games on the television. She was a Sanford girl through and through, and when in school she was the Homecoming Queen and the Pioneer Queen. She built many floats for the Pioneer Day celebration over the years.

Sharon is survived by her children Debra Sowards-Cerny (Keith) of Alamosa, Bryan (Terese) Sowards of Alamosa, Lori Sowards of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Kirk Sowards of Manassa, Colo.; her siblings Leon (Kathy) Reed of Thornton, Colo., Ross (Donna) Reed of St. Louis, Mo., and Van (Claire) Reed of Loveland, Colo.; her sister-in-law Jeanne Reed (Carl Hutchins) of Sanford, Colo., and brother-in-law Bill Powell of Reno, Nev.; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry, her son Scott, and her siblings Calvin Reed, Gordon Reed, LaVerne Williams, and Beverly Powell.

A Visitation will be held from 9:45-10:45 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service 11 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Manassa Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment will follow services in the Manassa Cemetery. 

Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, remembrances or words of comfort for Sharon’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.