Ila Sowers Sutphin, 86 of Hillsville, departed this life June 16, 2016 after a long struggle with Alzheimers. She was born June 10, 1930 to Walter "Cub" Sowers and Beulah Lewis Sowers, who left this life in 1934 when Ila was 3 years old. In 1949, she married Archie Rush Sutphin who left this life August 1, 1965.

She is survived by two sons, Gerald Scott Sutphin and Eric Dwain Sutphin both of Hillsville; two grandchildren, Scott Sutphin and Andrea Sutphin; half-brother, Gordon Sowers of Fancy Gap; half-sister, Marie Cox of Galax; and four great grandchildren.

Before her illness, Ila spoke fondly of her friends at the Red Barn Restaurant of Galax and Quality Mills of Hillsville and also of Lewis and Betty Vass and many others who visited her frequently. Ila and her family are forever indebted to Edward Lewis who always helped fix whatever had broken, any time of day or night. Edward departed this life March 12, 1999.

In Ila's last year, she became part of a loving family at Laurel Meadows Nursing Home and then Skyline Manor of Floyd, to whose many caring members the family would like to express their gratitude and admiration.

There will be a brief graveside service at the James F. Goad Cemetery in Crooked Oak at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 19, 2016 with Elder Lewis Vass officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of the organizations working to find a cure for Alzheimers Disease. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.