Sandra Lynn Fowler, 75, formerly of West Columbia, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at the Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis, Ohio. She was born on February 4, 1937, in the Salem Community in Mason County, and was the daughter of the late Okey Donly Fowler and Ramona Jean (Roach) Fowler. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and great aunt. Moreover, she was a bible teacher for many years and attended the Salem Community Church near West Columbia. She was a graduate of Wahama High School in 1954.

Fowler wrote poetry for nearly a half century. Her poetry was translated into seven languages including Hebrew, Spanish, Urdu, German, and Chinese, and appeared in countless anthologies, books, and quarterlies, including the Medal of Honor for Lifetime Achievement from the American Biographical Institute in 1980, a nomination for the Pushcart Prize in 1998, and was inducted into the International Poetry Hall of Fame in 1997. She was chosen in China as one of the best international poets of 2005, and by the International Poetry Translation and Research Centre as one of the top three poetry critics in the world. Fowler was awarded the A-1 Award from “The Enchanting Verses,” in 2009, and a member of the U.S. Executive Committee for the United Minds for Poetry Society, 2009. Moreover, she was inducted into the Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame UMFPS in 2009. Her biographical data can be found in the Who’s Who of American Women as well as the Who’s Who in the World, 2009.

Fowler published three books of her poetry, which contain collections of her poems from 1972-1983. The first book published was “In the Shape of the Sun,” Israel, 1972-73, and was edited by W.M. Barzelay. It recieved a second printing by Shalom Publishing in 1975 in Israel. “Ever Sunset” followed in 1992, and was published by Skylark Publications of India. Her last book, “The Colors Cry In Rain,” was published in the U.S. by Apollo Books in 1983. Fowlers poetry is featured on Poetry.com, International Poetry Hall of Fame: Sandra Fowler Poetry Exhibit, The Divine Channel, as well as AbleMuse.com, PoetHunter.com, PoetFreak.com, the site Cyber Literature, and many others.

She is survived by two brothers, Stephen Fowler of West Columbia, and Jeffrey (Barbara) Fowler of Polo, Miss.; sisters, Janice (Earl) Saunders of New Lexington, Ohio, and Kathryn (Lew) King of Hartford; nieces, Ramona King of Hartford, Nancy King-Badran of Hartford, and Jennifer Covington of Austin, Texas; great-nephews, Adam Badran of Hartford, Julian Fleming-Wellworth of Austin, Texas; great-niece Scarlett Fleming-Wellworth of Austin, Texas; Aunt Lucille Fowler of Point Pleasant, and her special friends, her dogs, Treasure and Autumn, as well as many cousins and dear friends.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2012, at the Deal Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, with Rev Jack Mayes officiating. Burial will follow in the Suncrest Cemetery also in Point Pleasant. Friends may visit the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Earl Saunders, Lew King, Ralph Russell, Errol Russell, Joe Russell, and Henry Allen Lewis.

She will be missed by her family and the many friends whose lives she touched.