Dorothy (Farmer) Sowell was a cousin to noted architect and artist Thurston Wells Munson, artist Claude Henry Munson, and granddaughter of Celestia Jane (Colby) Wells.
The name on her birth certificate is Celestia Jenkins. She was one of two children born from the marriage of Antoinette Celestia "Nettie" Wells, of Conway, Ma., and Arthur "Harold" Williamson Jenkins** of Fulton, Oswego County, NY . A link to one of Harold's siblings, Eleanor "Nellie" (Jenkins) Bardwell is here. Celestia’s older sister was Norma Mae Jenkins.
Around 1912, or perhaps earlier, Celestia Jenkins chose/was given a new first name, the name Dorothy, and from then on was known as Dorothy Celestia Jenkins. and she spent much time at the home of her uncle and maternal aunt, a Mr. and Mrs. George Farmer whose only child Eldred Farmer had recently been killed in an auto accident.
At the age of 19, Dorothy Celestia Jenkins was adopted by her aunt, (her mother's sister) Margaret A. (Wells) Farmer and her husband George E. Farmer. After this adoption she was known as Dorothy Celestia Farmer, was raised by Margaret and George Farmer, and had little contact with her birth mother Nettie for years afterward, and similarly with her sister, Norma Mae.
Dorothy met her future husband Thomas Sowell at the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Thomas was part of a quartet, that one Sunday performed special music there.
Dorothy and Thomas became engaged on July 28, 1925.
___________________________________
TURNERS FALLS - PRETTY WEDDING AT FARMER HOME
Miss Dorothy Farmer Became Bride Of Thomas J. Sowell Saturday
A very pretty wedding took place on Saturday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Farmer of Central street when their daughter, Miss Dorothy Celestia Farmer, and Thomas John Sowell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell of Third street, were married. The ceremony took place under an arch of pink and white astors with a background of laurel and was performed by Rev. George N. Mott, pastor of the Baptist church of this town, who used the double ring ceremony. Mrs. George Pfersick* played the wedding march from "Lohengrin." The bride was given away by her father. She was prettily attired in a white brocaded satin gown trimmed with silk lace and wore a veil and wreath of orange blossoms; she carried a shower bouquet of white roses and lillies of the valley. The bride was attended by Miss Ruth L. Whitney, who wore a yellow georgette crepe de chine gown trimmed with silver lace; she carried a bouquet of yellow roses and larkspur. The best man was George Pfersick. Following the wedding ceremony, a reception was held at which thirty friends and relatives were present. Refreshments were served, those serving being Miss Helen Cassidy, Miss Rosamond Leary, Miss Anna Crean, and Miss Louise Koch. Mr. and Mrs. Sowell left on a wedding trip by automobile and will visit places of interest in Vermont. Mrs. Sowell wore a cocoa brown crepe de chine traveling gown with hat to match. On their return they will make their home, which is furnished for them, at 28 Central street. The bride attended the local high school and is a graduate of the Greenfield Commercial school, and has been employed in the office of the Keith Paper company. The groom is employed by the C.T. Bagnall company and is a member of the Mechanics lodge of Masons. Both young people are well known locally and are active in the social affairs of the Baptist church.
[published in the Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1925]
Guests at the Ceremony and Reception were:
Mr. and Mrs. George Pfersick
Ruth L. Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell
Mr. and Mrs. Warren R. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Johnson
Mr. William L. Bennett
Dorothy Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hosford
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony E. Fuchs
Mrs. Viola J. Mott
Mrs. Mildred Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Douglas
Marguerite B. Farren
Rosamond G. Leary
Anne Crean
Louise M. Koch
Helen Cassidy
Their honeymoon was one week - September 19th to September 27th, 1925, spent at Lake Roponda, Vermont.
______________________________________
Dorothy was employed as a secretary at the Keith Paper company in Turners Falls, around the time she married Thomas J. Sowell. Later she took a position at the Franklin County Public Hospital, where she worked in the Central Sterile Services Dept.
______________________________________
MRS. SOWELL TO HEAD CHAPTER
Order of Eastern Star Holds Annual Election at T.F.
Turners Falls chapter, Order of Eastern Star, had their annual meeting on Monday evening at which time the following officers were elected for the ensuing year.
Worthy Matron, Mrs. Dorothy Sowell;
worthy patron, Stuart Faulkner; associate matron, Mrs. Emma Stoughton; associate patron, Harold Hosley; secretary, Mrs. Edith Roeder; treasurer Miss Dora Ripley; conductress, Mrs. Emma Mosher; associate conductress, Miss Mildred Wheeler; trustee for three years, Norman P. Farwell. These officers will be installed on January 6th.
[published in Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, December 4, 1929, page 10]
______________________________________
For a time she was employed by the TruVal's store owned by Harry and Rose Hyman on Avenue A, Turners Falls. In later years she worked at Wilson's department store in Greenfield, where she managed the Stationery Dept. Dorothy retired from Wilson's in 1971.
The Sowells had three children, two from their own marriage: a son, Thomas John "Tommy" Sowell Jr., and a daughter Margaret Mary (Sowell) Bourbeau, and a son from Thomas J. Sowell Sr.'s first marriage, Lawrence Thomas Sowell.
Dorothy and her husband enjoyed playing Canasta with friends, and they were both huge Red Sox fans. Dorothy never missed an episode of Perry Mason or The Lawrence Welk Show, if she could help it. She enjoyed drinking hot tea. Dorothy was an avid reader, and had read every Agatha Christie book. An entry in her diary from about 1970 mentions she was reading "The Godfather." She used Cashmere Bouquet body powder. She is remembered as being a good cook, and liked to bake pies, cakes, and cookies for family occasions, and was known for her homemade soups. She is remembered as making a most delicious corned-beef hash, using the old style hand-crank food grinder. Dorothy would use potatoes, onions, carrots, and corned-beef. Her granddaughter remembers turning the handle for the food grinder, as Dorothy fed the ingredients into it. Dorothy is also remembered for her special white cake, with white frosting, over which she drizzled melted dark chocolate. She faithfully made entries in a series of 5-year diaries for many years, with entries that generally included the weather, dinner choices, outings, and included comments on any televised sporting events she was interested in.
Dorothy was a member of the Montague Senior Center, and for many years served as their treasurer. She also was a member of the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Order of The Eastern Star, having joined on Dec. 7, 1925, was twice a Worthy Matron (1930, 1935), and Deputy Grand Marshal (1946).
Dorothy (Farmer) Sowell was an aunt to Marcia L. Chickering.
_________________________________
DOROTHY C. SOWELL
Turners Falls - Dorothy C. (Farmer) Sowell, 79, of 5 Maple St., died Tuesday, May 13, 1986, in Cozy Corner Nursing Home in Sunderland. She was born in Conway, July 14, 1906, the daughter of George and Margie (Wells) Farmer. She was educated in the Turners Falls and Conway schools. Mrs. Sowell was a clerk at Wilson's Department Store in Greenfield for 10 years. She also had worked at central supply at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was the widow of Thomas J. Sowell, who died in 1983. Survivors include a son, Thomas J. Jr., of Shreveport, La,; a daughter Margaret M. Bourbeau of Turners Falls; a stepson Lawrence of New York City; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at The McCarthy Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Allen, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Springdale cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association of Massachusetts, Statler Building, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 636, Boston 02116
[death notice published in the Greenfield Recorder, Greenfield, Mass. date not noted, thank you to contributor #47283828, elsewhere in bio, partial writing credits to the Greenfield Recorder: "Sowells 50th Anniversary" with additional material provided by the Bourbeau/Sowell families. Time of death 1:20 p.m.]
*Sarah D. Pfersick
**son of William Jenkins and Sarah A. (Hutton) Jenkins
This memorial holds the story and family memories of my great-grandmother. Thank you for looking at her memorial.
The name on her birth certificate is Celestia Jenkins. She was one of two children born from the marriage of Antoinette Celestia "Nettie" Wells, of Conway, Ma., and Arthur "Harold" Williamson Jenkins** of Fulton, Oswego County, NY . A link to one of Harold's siblings, Eleanor "Nellie" (Jenkins) Bardwell is here. Celestia’s older sister was Norma Mae Jenkins.
Around 1912, or perhaps earlier, Celestia Jenkins chose/was given a new first name, the name Dorothy, and from then on was known as Dorothy Celestia Jenkins. and she spent much time at the home of her uncle and maternal aunt, a Mr. and Mrs. George Farmer whose only child Eldred Farmer had recently been killed in an auto accident.
At the age of 19, Dorothy Celestia Jenkins was adopted by her aunt, (her mother's sister) Margaret A. (Wells) Farmer and her husband George E. Farmer. After this adoption she was known as Dorothy Celestia Farmer, was raised by Margaret and George Farmer, and had little contact with her birth mother Nettie for years afterward, and similarly with her sister, Norma Mae.
Dorothy met her future husband Thomas Sowell at the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Thomas was part of a quartet, that one Sunday performed special music there.
Dorothy and Thomas became engaged on July 28, 1925.
___________________________________
TURNERS FALLS - PRETTY WEDDING AT FARMER HOME
Miss Dorothy Farmer Became Bride Of Thomas J. Sowell Saturday
A very pretty wedding took place on Saturday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Farmer of Central street when their daughter, Miss Dorothy Celestia Farmer, and Thomas John Sowell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell of Third street, were married. The ceremony took place under an arch of pink and white astors with a background of laurel and was performed by Rev. George N. Mott, pastor of the Baptist church of this town, who used the double ring ceremony. Mrs. George Pfersick* played the wedding march from "Lohengrin." The bride was given away by her father. She was prettily attired in a white brocaded satin gown trimmed with silk lace and wore a veil and wreath of orange blossoms; she carried a shower bouquet of white roses and lillies of the valley. The bride was attended by Miss Ruth L. Whitney, who wore a yellow georgette crepe de chine gown trimmed with silver lace; she carried a bouquet of yellow roses and larkspur. The best man was George Pfersick. Following the wedding ceremony, a reception was held at which thirty friends and relatives were present. Refreshments were served, those serving being Miss Helen Cassidy, Miss Rosamond Leary, Miss Anna Crean, and Miss Louise Koch. Mr. and Mrs. Sowell left on a wedding trip by automobile and will visit places of interest in Vermont. Mrs. Sowell wore a cocoa brown crepe de chine traveling gown with hat to match. On their return they will make their home, which is furnished for them, at 28 Central street. The bride attended the local high school and is a graduate of the Greenfield Commercial school, and has been employed in the office of the Keith Paper company. The groom is employed by the C.T. Bagnall company and is a member of the Mechanics lodge of Masons. Both young people are well known locally and are active in the social affairs of the Baptist church.
[published in the Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1925]
Guests at the Ceremony and Reception were:
Mr. and Mrs. George Pfersick
Ruth L. Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell
Mr. and Mrs. Warren R. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Johnson
Mr. William L. Bennett
Dorothy Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hosford
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony E. Fuchs
Mrs. Viola J. Mott
Mrs. Mildred Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Douglas
Marguerite B. Farren
Rosamond G. Leary
Anne Crean
Louise M. Koch
Helen Cassidy
Their honeymoon was one week - September 19th to September 27th, 1925, spent at Lake Roponda, Vermont.
______________________________________
Dorothy was employed as a secretary at the Keith Paper company in Turners Falls, around the time she married Thomas J. Sowell. Later she took a position at the Franklin County Public Hospital, where she worked in the Central Sterile Services Dept.
______________________________________
MRS. SOWELL TO HEAD CHAPTER
Order of Eastern Star Holds Annual Election at T.F.
Turners Falls chapter, Order of Eastern Star, had their annual meeting on Monday evening at which time the following officers were elected for the ensuing year.
Worthy Matron, Mrs. Dorothy Sowell;
worthy patron, Stuart Faulkner; associate matron, Mrs. Emma Stoughton; associate patron, Harold Hosley; secretary, Mrs. Edith Roeder; treasurer Miss Dora Ripley; conductress, Mrs. Emma Mosher; associate conductress, Miss Mildred Wheeler; trustee for three years, Norman P. Farwell. These officers will be installed on January 6th.
[published in Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, December 4, 1929, page 10]
______________________________________
For a time she was employed by the TruVal's store owned by Harry and Rose Hyman on Avenue A, Turners Falls. In later years she worked at Wilson's department store in Greenfield, where she managed the Stationery Dept. Dorothy retired from Wilson's in 1971.
The Sowells had three children, two from their own marriage: a son, Thomas John "Tommy" Sowell Jr., and a daughter Margaret Mary (Sowell) Bourbeau, and a son from Thomas J. Sowell Sr.'s first marriage, Lawrence Thomas Sowell.
Dorothy and her husband enjoyed playing Canasta with friends, and they were both huge Red Sox fans. Dorothy never missed an episode of Perry Mason or The Lawrence Welk Show, if she could help it. She enjoyed drinking hot tea. Dorothy was an avid reader, and had read every Agatha Christie book. An entry in her diary from about 1970 mentions she was reading "The Godfather." She used Cashmere Bouquet body powder. She is remembered as being a good cook, and liked to bake pies, cakes, and cookies for family occasions, and was known for her homemade soups. She is remembered as making a most delicious corned-beef hash, using the old style hand-crank food grinder. Dorothy would use potatoes, onions, carrots, and corned-beef. Her granddaughter remembers turning the handle for the food grinder, as Dorothy fed the ingredients into it. Dorothy is also remembered for her special white cake, with white frosting, over which she drizzled melted dark chocolate. She faithfully made entries in a series of 5-year diaries for many years, with entries that generally included the weather, dinner choices, outings, and included comments on any televised sporting events she was interested in.
Dorothy was a member of the Montague Senior Center, and for many years served as their treasurer. She also was a member of the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Order of The Eastern Star, having joined on Dec. 7, 1925, was twice a Worthy Matron (1930, 1935), and Deputy Grand Marshal (1946).
Dorothy (Farmer) Sowell was an aunt to Marcia L. Chickering.
_________________________________
DOROTHY C. SOWELL
Turners Falls - Dorothy C. (Farmer) Sowell, 79, of 5 Maple St., died Tuesday, May 13, 1986, in Cozy Corner Nursing Home in Sunderland. She was born in Conway, July 14, 1906, the daughter of George and Margie (Wells) Farmer. She was educated in the Turners Falls and Conway schools. Mrs. Sowell was a clerk at Wilson's Department Store in Greenfield for 10 years. She also had worked at central supply at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was the widow of Thomas J. Sowell, who died in 1983. Survivors include a son, Thomas J. Jr., of Shreveport, La,; a daughter Margaret M. Bourbeau of Turners Falls; a stepson Lawrence of New York City; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at The McCarthy Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Allen, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Springdale cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association of Massachusetts, Statler Building, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 636, Boston 02116
[death notice published in the Greenfield Recorder, Greenfield, Mass. date not noted, thank you to contributor #47283828, elsewhere in bio, partial writing credits to the Greenfield Recorder: "Sowells 50th Anniversary" with additional material provided by the Bourbeau/Sowell families. Time of death 1:20 p.m.]
*Sarah D. Pfersick
**son of William Jenkins and Sarah A. (Hutton) Jenkins
This memorial holds the story and family memories of my great-grandmother. Thank you for looking at her memorial.
Dorothy (Farmer) Sowell was a cousin to noted architect and artist Thurston Wells Munson, artist Claude Henry Munson, and granddaughter of Celestia Jane (Colby) Wells.
The name on her birth certificate is Celestia Jenkins. She was one of two children born from the marriage of Antoinette Celestia "Nettie" Wells, of Conway, Ma., and Arthur "Harold" Williamson Jenkins** of Fulton, Oswego County, NY . A link to one of Harold's siblings, Eleanor "Nellie" (Jenkins) Bardwell is here. Celestia’s older sister was Norma Mae Jenkins.
Around 1912, or perhaps earlier, Celestia Jenkins chose/was given a new first name, the name Dorothy, and from then on was known as Dorothy Celestia Jenkins. and she spent much time at the home of her uncle and maternal aunt, a Mr. and Mrs. George Farmer whose only child Eldred Farmer had recently been killed in an auto accident.
At the age of 19, Dorothy Celestia Jenkins was adopted by her aunt, (her mother's sister) Margaret A. (Wells) Farmer and her husband George E. Farmer. After this adoption she was known as Dorothy Celestia Farmer, was raised by Margaret and George Farmer, and had little contact with her birth mother Nettie for years afterward, and similarly with her sister, Norma Mae.
Dorothy met her future husband Thomas Sowell at the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Thomas was part of a quartet, that one Sunday performed special music there.
Dorothy and Thomas became engaged on July 28, 1925.
___________________________________
TURNERS FALLS - PRETTY WEDDING AT FARMER HOME
Miss Dorothy Farmer Became Bride Of Thomas J. Sowell Saturday
A very pretty wedding took place on Saturday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Farmer of Central street when their daughter, Miss Dorothy Celestia Farmer, and Thomas John Sowell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell of Third street, were married. The ceremony took place under an arch of pink and white astors with a background of laurel and was performed by Rev. George N. Mott, pastor of the Baptist church of this town, who used the double ring ceremony. Mrs. George Pfersick* played the wedding march from "Lohengrin." The bride was given away by her father. She was prettily attired in a white brocaded satin gown trimmed with silk lace and wore a veil and wreath of orange blossoms; she carried a shower bouquet of white roses and lillies of the valley. The bride was attended by Miss Ruth L. Whitney, who wore a yellow georgette crepe de chine gown trimmed with silver lace; she carried a bouquet of yellow roses and larkspur. The best man was George Pfersick. Following the wedding ceremony, a reception was held at which thirty friends and relatives were present. Refreshments were served, those serving being Miss Helen Cassidy, Miss Rosamond Leary, Miss Anna Crean, and Miss Louise Koch. Mr. and Mrs. Sowell left on a wedding trip by automobile and will visit places of interest in Vermont. Mrs. Sowell wore a cocoa brown crepe de chine traveling gown with hat to match. On their return they will make their home, which is furnished for them, at 28 Central street. The bride attended the local high school and is a graduate of the Greenfield Commercial school, and has been employed in the office of the Keith Paper company. The groom is employed by the C.T. Bagnall company and is a member of the Mechanics lodge of Masons. Both young people are well known locally and are active in the social affairs of the Baptist church.
[published in the Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1925]
Guests at the Ceremony and Reception were:
Mr. and Mrs. George Pfersick
Ruth L. Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell
Mr. and Mrs. Warren R. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Johnson
Mr. William L. Bennett
Dorothy Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hosford
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony E. Fuchs
Mrs. Viola J. Mott
Mrs. Mildred Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Douglas
Marguerite B. Farren
Rosamond G. Leary
Anne Crean
Louise M. Koch
Helen Cassidy
Their honeymoon was one week - September 19th to September 27th, 1925, spent at Lake Roponda, Vermont.
______________________________________
Dorothy was employed as a secretary at the Keith Paper company in Turners Falls, around the time she married Thomas J. Sowell. Later she took a position at the Franklin County Public Hospital, where she worked in the Central Sterile Services Dept.
______________________________________
MRS. SOWELL TO HEAD CHAPTER
Order of Eastern Star Holds Annual Election at T.F.
Turners Falls chapter, Order of Eastern Star, had their annual meeting on Monday evening at which time the following officers were elected for the ensuing year.
Worthy Matron, Mrs. Dorothy Sowell;
worthy patron, Stuart Faulkner; associate matron, Mrs. Emma Stoughton; associate patron, Harold Hosley; secretary, Mrs. Edith Roeder; treasurer Miss Dora Ripley; conductress, Mrs. Emma Mosher; associate conductress, Miss Mildred Wheeler; trustee for three years, Norman P. Farwell. These officers will be installed on January 6th.
[published in Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, December 4, 1929, page 10]
______________________________________
For a time she was employed by the TruVal's store owned by Harry and Rose Hyman on Avenue A, Turners Falls. In later years she worked at Wilson's department store in Greenfield, where she managed the Stationery Dept. Dorothy retired from Wilson's in 1971.
The Sowells had three children, two from their own marriage: a son, Thomas John "Tommy" Sowell Jr., and a daughter Margaret Mary (Sowell) Bourbeau, and a son from Thomas J. Sowell Sr.'s first marriage, Lawrence Thomas Sowell.
Dorothy and her husband enjoyed playing Canasta with friends, and they were both huge Red Sox fans. Dorothy never missed an episode of Perry Mason or The Lawrence Welk Show, if she could help it. She enjoyed drinking hot tea. Dorothy was an avid reader, and had read every Agatha Christie book. An entry in her diary from about 1970 mentions she was reading "The Godfather." She used Cashmere Bouquet body powder. She is remembered as being a good cook, and liked to bake pies, cakes, and cookies for family occasions, and was known for her homemade soups. She is remembered as making a most delicious corned-beef hash, using the old style hand-crank food grinder. Dorothy would use potatoes, onions, carrots, and corned-beef. Her granddaughter remembers turning the handle for the food grinder, as Dorothy fed the ingredients into it. Dorothy is also remembered for her special white cake, with white frosting, over which she drizzled melted dark chocolate. She faithfully made entries in a series of 5-year diaries for many years, with entries that generally included the weather, dinner choices, outings, and included comments on any televised sporting events she was interested in.
Dorothy was a member of the Montague Senior Center, and for many years served as their treasurer. She also was a member of the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Order of The Eastern Star, having joined on Dec. 7, 1925, was twice a Worthy Matron (1930, 1935), and Deputy Grand Marshal (1946).
Dorothy (Farmer) Sowell was an aunt to Marcia L. Chickering.
_________________________________
DOROTHY C. SOWELL
Turners Falls - Dorothy C. (Farmer) Sowell, 79, of 5 Maple St., died Tuesday, May 13, 1986, in Cozy Corner Nursing Home in Sunderland. She was born in Conway, July 14, 1906, the daughter of George and Margie (Wells) Farmer. She was educated in the Turners Falls and Conway schools. Mrs. Sowell was a clerk at Wilson's Department Store in Greenfield for 10 years. She also had worked at central supply at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was the widow of Thomas J. Sowell, who died in 1983. Survivors include a son, Thomas J. Jr., of Shreveport, La,; a daughter Margaret M. Bourbeau of Turners Falls; a stepson Lawrence of New York City; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at The McCarthy Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Allen, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Springdale cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association of Massachusetts, Statler Building, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 636, Boston 02116
[death notice published in the Greenfield Recorder, Greenfield, Mass. date not noted, thank you to contributor #47283828, elsewhere in bio, partial writing credits to the Greenfield Recorder: "Sowells 50th Anniversary" with additional material provided by the Bourbeau/Sowell families. Time of death 1:20 p.m.]
*Sarah D. Pfersick
**son of William Jenkins and Sarah A. (Hutton) Jenkins
This memorial holds the story and family memories of my great-grandmother. Thank you for looking at her memorial.
The name on her birth certificate is Celestia Jenkins. She was one of two children born from the marriage of Antoinette Celestia "Nettie" Wells, of Conway, Ma., and Arthur "Harold" Williamson Jenkins** of Fulton, Oswego County, NY . A link to one of Harold's siblings, Eleanor "Nellie" (Jenkins) Bardwell is here. Celestia’s older sister was Norma Mae Jenkins.
Around 1912, or perhaps earlier, Celestia Jenkins chose/was given a new first name, the name Dorothy, and from then on was known as Dorothy Celestia Jenkins. and she spent much time at the home of her uncle and maternal aunt, a Mr. and Mrs. George Farmer whose only child Eldred Farmer had recently been killed in an auto accident.
At the age of 19, Dorothy Celestia Jenkins was adopted by her aunt, (her mother's sister) Margaret A. (Wells) Farmer and her husband George E. Farmer. After this adoption she was known as Dorothy Celestia Farmer, was raised by Margaret and George Farmer, and had little contact with her birth mother Nettie for years afterward, and similarly with her sister, Norma Mae.
Dorothy met her future husband Thomas Sowell at the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Thomas was part of a quartet, that one Sunday performed special music there.
Dorothy and Thomas became engaged on July 28, 1925.
___________________________________
TURNERS FALLS - PRETTY WEDDING AT FARMER HOME
Miss Dorothy Farmer Became Bride Of Thomas J. Sowell Saturday
A very pretty wedding took place on Saturday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Farmer of Central street when their daughter, Miss Dorothy Celestia Farmer, and Thomas John Sowell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell of Third street, were married. The ceremony took place under an arch of pink and white astors with a background of laurel and was performed by Rev. George N. Mott, pastor of the Baptist church of this town, who used the double ring ceremony. Mrs. George Pfersick* played the wedding march from "Lohengrin." The bride was given away by her father. She was prettily attired in a white brocaded satin gown trimmed with silk lace and wore a veil and wreath of orange blossoms; she carried a shower bouquet of white roses and lillies of the valley. The bride was attended by Miss Ruth L. Whitney, who wore a yellow georgette crepe de chine gown trimmed with silver lace; she carried a bouquet of yellow roses and larkspur. The best man was George Pfersick. Following the wedding ceremony, a reception was held at which thirty friends and relatives were present. Refreshments were served, those serving being Miss Helen Cassidy, Miss Rosamond Leary, Miss Anna Crean, and Miss Louise Koch. Mr. and Mrs. Sowell left on a wedding trip by automobile and will visit places of interest in Vermont. Mrs. Sowell wore a cocoa brown crepe de chine traveling gown with hat to match. On their return they will make their home, which is furnished for them, at 28 Central street. The bride attended the local high school and is a graduate of the Greenfield Commercial school, and has been employed in the office of the Keith Paper company. The groom is employed by the C.T. Bagnall company and is a member of the Mechanics lodge of Masons. Both young people are well known locally and are active in the social affairs of the Baptist church.
[published in the Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1925]
Guests at the Ceremony and Reception were:
Mr. and Mrs. George Pfersick
Ruth L. Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Sowell
Mr. and Mrs. Warren R. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. Johnson
Mr. William L. Bennett
Dorothy Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hosford
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony E. Fuchs
Mrs. Viola J. Mott
Mrs. Mildred Whitney
Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Douglas
Marguerite B. Farren
Rosamond G. Leary
Anne Crean
Louise M. Koch
Helen Cassidy
Their honeymoon was one week - September 19th to September 27th, 1925, spent at Lake Roponda, Vermont.
______________________________________
Dorothy was employed as a secretary at the Keith Paper company in Turners Falls, around the time she married Thomas J. Sowell. Later she took a position at the Franklin County Public Hospital, where she worked in the Central Sterile Services Dept.
______________________________________
MRS. SOWELL TO HEAD CHAPTER
Order of Eastern Star Holds Annual Election at T.F.
Turners Falls chapter, Order of Eastern Star, had their annual meeting on Monday evening at which time the following officers were elected for the ensuing year.
Worthy Matron, Mrs. Dorothy Sowell;
worthy patron, Stuart Faulkner; associate matron, Mrs. Emma Stoughton; associate patron, Harold Hosley; secretary, Mrs. Edith Roeder; treasurer Miss Dora Ripley; conductress, Mrs. Emma Mosher; associate conductress, Miss Mildred Wheeler; trustee for three years, Norman P. Farwell. These officers will be installed on January 6th.
[published in Greenfield Recorder, Wednesday, December 4, 1929, page 10]
______________________________________
For a time she was employed by the TruVal's store owned by Harry and Rose Hyman on Avenue A, Turners Falls. In later years she worked at Wilson's department store in Greenfield, where she managed the Stationery Dept. Dorothy retired from Wilson's in 1971.
The Sowells had three children, two from their own marriage: a son, Thomas John "Tommy" Sowell Jr., and a daughter Margaret Mary (Sowell) Bourbeau, and a son from Thomas J. Sowell Sr.'s first marriage, Lawrence Thomas Sowell.
Dorothy and her husband enjoyed playing Canasta with friends, and they were both huge Red Sox fans. Dorothy never missed an episode of Perry Mason or The Lawrence Welk Show, if she could help it. She enjoyed drinking hot tea. Dorothy was an avid reader, and had read every Agatha Christie book. An entry in her diary from about 1970 mentions she was reading "The Godfather." She used Cashmere Bouquet body powder. She is remembered as being a good cook, and liked to bake pies, cakes, and cookies for family occasions, and was known for her homemade soups. She is remembered as making a most delicious corned-beef hash, using the old style hand-crank food grinder. Dorothy would use potatoes, onions, carrots, and corned-beef. Her granddaughter remembers turning the handle for the food grinder, as Dorothy fed the ingredients into it. Dorothy is also remembered for her special white cake, with white frosting, over which she drizzled melted dark chocolate. She faithfully made entries in a series of 5-year diaries for many years, with entries that generally included the weather, dinner choices, outings, and included comments on any televised sporting events she was interested in.
Dorothy was a member of the Montague Senior Center, and for many years served as their treasurer. She also was a member of the First Baptist Church of Turners Falls. Dorothy was a longtime member of the Order of The Eastern Star, having joined on Dec. 7, 1925, was twice a Worthy Matron (1930, 1935), and Deputy Grand Marshal (1946).
Dorothy (Farmer) Sowell was an aunt to Marcia L. Chickering.
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DOROTHY C. SOWELL
Turners Falls - Dorothy C. (Farmer) Sowell, 79, of 5 Maple St., died Tuesday, May 13, 1986, in Cozy Corner Nursing Home in Sunderland. She was born in Conway, July 14, 1906, the daughter of George and Margie (Wells) Farmer. She was educated in the Turners Falls and Conway schools. Mrs. Sowell was a clerk at Wilson's Department Store in Greenfield for 10 years. She also had worked at central supply at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was the widow of Thomas J. Sowell, who died in 1983. Survivors include a son, Thomas J. Jr., of Shreveport, La,; a daughter Margaret M. Bourbeau of Turners Falls; a stepson Lawrence of New York City; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at The McCarthy Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Allen, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Springdale cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association of Massachusetts, Statler Building, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 636, Boston 02116
[death notice published in the Greenfield Recorder, Greenfield, Mass. date not noted, thank you to contributor #47283828, elsewhere in bio, partial writing credits to the Greenfield Recorder: "Sowells 50th Anniversary" with additional material provided by the Bourbeau/Sowell families. Time of death 1:20 p.m.]
*Sarah D. Pfersick
**son of William Jenkins and Sarah A. (Hutton) Jenkins
This memorial holds the story and family memories of my great-grandmother. Thank you for looking at her memorial.
