Frances Arabella Cook was born on March 1, 1919, near Pottertown in Calloway County, Kentucky. Arabella was one of eight children born to James “Jim” Oliver and Madie Wall Cook. Arabella graduated from Faxon High School and entered Murray State in the fall of 1938 where she majored in home economics and elementary education. After she got her teaching certificate, she taught grades 1-4 at Pottertown for one year before going to Detroit to work in a defense plant. There she met Eugene “Gene” Sowell and they were married on July 19, 1945, in Highland Park, MI. In 1946, their daughter Jeanie was born, and Nancy Lee was born in 1948. In 1952, Arabella and Gene bought a grocery store in Calvert City, KY. Their third daughter, Wendy, was born in 1955. In the summer of 1960, they bought five acres near Aurora and built a grocery store adjacent to Union Ridge Methodist Church. Arabella attended faithfully and was active in that church for the next 59 years.
After Gene died in 1974, Arabella moved into a new store in Aurora which she successfully managed for many years. Arabella traveled the world, visiting almost every state with her sister Margie and brother-in-law Curtis. As the matriarch of the family, Arabella hosted many of the holiday gatherings, often feeding 30 or 40 guests and still had leftovers for the stragglers.
She lovingly cared for her grandchildren, taking them exploring in the woods and building forts and treehouses. At her 80th birthday party, Arabella climbed a tree in her yard with her grandchildren.
Arabella is survived by her sister Margie, three daughters, eight grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at Collier Funeral Home, located at 211 West 5th Street Benton, KY 42025 wit Rev. Kim Morrison and Rev. Samantha Hall officiating.
Burial will follow in Bonner Cemetery in Calloway County, KY.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at Collier Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Jonathan-South Elementary Family Resource Center, c/o Melanie Grimes, 9207 US Highway 68 E., Benton, KY 42025.