Harold “Sonny” Franklin Towery of Morganton, NC celebrated his 89th birthday on April 4, 2026 by entering the gates of Heaven.
Born in Cleveland County, NC on April 4, 1937, he was the son of the late Bryce Towery and Flossie Hull Towery.
Sonny was an active member of El Bethel Baptist Church where he served on several committees throughout the years. He served as the athletic director for the City of Morganton and retired as warehouse manager from Broughton Hospital. Sonny spent many years coaching Little League and took numerous teams to tournament playoffs. He was also instrumental in bringing tee ball to Morganton. He was a past president of the Optimist Club and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Morganton Jaycees in 1971.
Sonny traveled throughout the United States and spent years boating and skiing on Lake James. He was a collector of classic Ford vehicles and enjoyed driving his tractor. He also loved the outdoors and enjoyed rabbit hunting with friends and family well into his 80s. Sonny never met a stranger, and he loved coordinating family reunions for his extensive extended family.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Karen Hilton Towery; son, Jeff Towery (Donna); grandchildren, Adam Towery (Emily) and Emily Hendrix (Levi); great-grandchildren, Parker Towery, Savannah Towery, and Eli Hendrix; brother, Tommy Towery (Glenda); and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Sonny was preceded in death by a son, Todd Towery; and sisters, Gayle Bolick and Virginia Hudson.
The family will receive friends from 12 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at El Bethel Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. in the church with Rev. Justin Cunningham, Rev. Cory Galli, and Rev. David Orders officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to El Bethel Baptist Church, PO Box 2518, Morganton, NC 28680.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS: 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 FOR TYE FAMILY & FRIENDS
Karen, we are very sad that Sonny passed! He was a great friend and special cousin. He will be missed by all! You and the family are in our Prayers. Dean & Nancy Yancey
Karen, you are in my prayers.
Sonny was an inspiration to be around. I loved it when he was able to get Tball started in Burke County. My kids and later my grandson loved playing. It’s so true he never met a stranger and always made people around him fill special. He will be greatly missed but not forgotten. I will continue to have the family and friends in my prayers. El Bethel will miss him. Know that he is with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ❤️🙏🏽
I am going to miss seeing Sonny at church and he helped me getting a job at Broughton hospital and I know he is no longer suffering and he at peace with his lord and savior Jesus Christ And I will be praying for Karen and the family Your brother in Christ Richard Carlson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sonny will be missed by many.
Karen, you and Sonny have been my best friends for many years. I didn't get to see you as much as I would have loved to, but I always knew you were just a phone call away and I know you always knew Jack and I were here for you. It is really difficult to imagine this world without Sonny but he is always in our thoughts and memories. He's one of a kind - a precious kind to talk with and always to laugh with. You, Jeff and all are in our prayers. We love you.
A good man that will be missed by his family and church family.