Helen A. Sowers, age 89, of Richmond, died Sunday afternoon (January 18, 2009) at Alterra Sterling House. She was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina on January 14, 1920 to John Anderson and Edna Nowlin Atkins and had lived here all of her adult life. She was a homemaker and had served as a Girl Scout leader and as a volunteer for 4-H. She was a member of the former Greens Fork Homemakers Club and had been active with citizen tax advocacy groups. She was a member of the Golden Band Sunday School Class at First Christian Church. Her husband, George Sowers, Jr., died on July 9, 1995. Survivors include her sons - George (Marilyn) Sowers of Richmond, Bruce (Jennie) Sowers of New Castle; daughter - Nancy Jo (Richard) Holowenko of West Lafayette; brothers - J.F. Atkins of Richmond, Robert (Lettie) Atkins of Mount Airy, North Carolina; sister - Lillian Casas of Riverside, California; seven grandchildren - George M. Sowers, Christine (Rick) Tate, Joseph (Jean) Sowers, John Sowers, Michael Sowers, Bradley Sowers and Erika Sowers; 4 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Eight brothers, Carlos Atkins, John Harmon Atkins, Kenneth Atkins, Jesse Atkins, Arthur Atkins, Samuel Porter Atkins, Caleb Atkins, Warren Atkins and two sisters, Hassie Curtis and Audrey Hart are also deceased Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday (January 22, 2009) in Riggle - Waltermann Mortuary. Rev. John Sowers will officiate. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Pershing. Friends may call on Thursday (January 22, 2009) from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Cemetery www.riggle-waltermann.com