Mary Lou Haywood Sowden; 80; on Thursday; March 29; 2007; of Allison Park; formerly of Charleroi (Speers Hill); wife of the late Rev. Charles K. Sowden; mother of Jane (James) Sykes; of Oakmont; C. Kenneth (Jaci) Sowden; of Waikoloa; Hawaii; Beth (Gary) Tuck; of Bowling Green; Ky.; and Amy (Ronald) Burkert; of Oakmont; grandmother of Jamie; Chase; Jennifer; Stefanie; Lisa; Chris; Kendal; Stephanie and Allison; great-grandmother of J.D.; Alexis; Nicolas; Easton; Riley; Evan; Blake and Ella; and sister of Clifton Haywood; of Lebanon; Mass. Preceded in death by her parents; James and Catherine Guder Haywood; and three brothers; Melvin; Leland and Richard. She was born in Dunlevy on Sept. 14; 1926 and attended Charleroi High School. She married in 1943 and; throughout her life; supported her husband’s ministry at numerous churches throughout the Mon Valley. She was employed as a nurse at Greene County Memorial Hospital in Waynesburg and was active in community service. She was a member of the Speers United Methodist Church and an affiliate member of Oakmont Presbyterian Church. Following a prolonged illness; she became a resident at Concordia at Rebecca Residence; where she served on their Resident Advisory Board. She was known for her gracious hospitality and loved to open her home to family and friends. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC. and CREMATION SERVICE; a Golden Rule Member Firm; (724-929-5300); 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. A memorial service will be held at the Speers United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Monday; April 2 with the Rev. Les Hutchins and Rev. Dr. Steve Wilson co-officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Jumonville; Hopwood; Pa. 15445.