Barbara Gercile Sowell, 97, a resident of Fairhope, Ala., passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. A celebration of life service was held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 from the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Hogg officiating. Burial followed in Welcome Cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home of Georgiana, Ala., directed arrangements. Mrs. Sowell was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Emmett O’Neal Sowell. Mrs. Sowell was retired from the City of Mobile where she worked many years as dispatch for the fire and police department. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Esther Sowell, Orange Beach, Ala.; grandchildren, David and Nicole Sowell, Birmingham, Ala., and Jennifer and Duy Nguyen, Fairhope, Ala.; great-grandchildren, Hudson Sowell, Birmingham, Ala., and Adalyn Nguyen, Fairhope, Ala. A gathering of family and friends will be Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. until service time. Online condolences can be made at www.johnsongeorgiana.com.