Jami LeAnn Haynes Sowards, 49, of Sissonville, passed away January 6, 2013, at CAMC General's ICU Unit after an extended illness, surrounded by her mother, husband and daughter.

She was the only child of Phyllis Edens and the late Orville Dale Haynes, Jr.

She was preceded in death by her dearly cherished son, Zachary Alan.

Also preceding Jami in death were her grandparents, Orville and Mary Ellen Haynes, Johnie and Lula Fields, beloved mother-in-law, Wilma Sowards, brother-in-law, Donnie Sowards, and step-brother, Tracey Edens.

Left to forever cherish Jami's memory is her husband, Mark Alan Sowards, mother, Phyllis Haynes Edens, daughter, Kyla Sowards, nephew, D.R. Sowards, step father, David R. Edens, Sr., father-in-law, Don Sowards, special brothers, Rob, Greg, Mitchell Edens and families; her aunt, Nancy (Mike) McNealy, and two first cousins, Brian Keith (Melissa) Mangus of Sugarland, Texas, and Katherine Mangus Lohr of Charleston, South Carolina.

Jami has three precious granddaughters, Chloe LeAnn Bailey, Heidi Nichole Sowards and Alara Shae Bailey; each brought her so much joy, happiness and laughter. Thinking of her "girls" helped her through some of her most difficult times.

Each of her granddaughters will have memories of being the love of MaMa's Jami's life, how much she loved spoiling them, and how much fun they had with MaMa Jami.

In addition, she is survived by her paternal great-aunts, Phyllis Lynch and Pat Whittington, plus many other relatives who she felt were not only her relatives, but also her best friends.

She would want her cousin, Tim Lynch, to know how much she loved him and how many times after talking with him, she walked away more positive. Jami loved going to the large summer "Haynes' outings/reunions" each year as she would be able to once again be with her loved relatives.

Jami would want her "very special sister, Penny Miller", to know how much she loved her and her son, Cody. Penny has always been there for Jami, making her laugh when no one else could during those depressing years of illness.

Jami was born a very special angel to give and take care of others. She was full of energy, joy and happiness. She had a quick and genuine smile for everyone. She just loved people, taking great joy in sharing or helping others; likewise, she was loved by all who met her. From the time of being a young child, until we all lost her, she was most happy when she could make others happy.

She enjoyed listening, and she remembered, MaMa and PaPa Haynes' stories of how difficult life was when they and neighbor kids grew up. This usually consisted of everyone getting up at 4:00 a.m., doing their strenuous chores, walking five miles in snow up to their waists to a one-room schoolhouse which had very little heat and then walk back home five miles to only face more chores.

Jami loved hearing these stories, remembering the names of So and So's cousin, Jane, who married So & So's neighbor, Frank, who was, heaven forbid, an out-of-towner, (not from Sissonville). Through these years, if you ever needed to know anyone's name, a relative or someone else, all you had to do was call her MaMa Haynes or call Jami.

One example of Jami's outgoing personality, she couldn't get on an elevator going to 10th, 15th or 20th floor, without becoming engaged in a conversation with some one by 12th floor. When they parted ways from the elevator, they were friends.

Throughout her pain and suffering in the past three years, she was still same friendly Jami, pretense or not, making friends with hospital staff. During those years of endless surgeries, painful tests, she always made sure person administering the tests were told how much she appreciated their help, even though sometimes it had been unbearable pain.

She already is a guardian angel to all of us. As her mother, I want to say Jami never knowingly hurt anyone in her life, until we all lost her Sunday.

Service will be held 11 AM, Thursday, January 10, 2013, at Long & Fisher Funeral Home, Sissonville with the Rev. Al Mendez officiating. Burial will follow in Sissonville Memorial Gardens, Sissonville.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at CAMC General MICU and especially Dr. Ron Biswal for all the love and care they showed Jami.