Following graduation from Sam Houston State she taught in the San Antonio Independent School District until 1958. For the next seven years she taught reading and education at San Jacinto College. From 1976 to present she teaches Special Education at Texas Tech in addition to her administrative duties. Before serving as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, she served in that same position as Assistant Vice President. She also served as a member and two-term President of the Board of Governors of the Texas School for the Blind and is currently a member of the Board of the Rotary Club of Lubbock

Her numerous publications focus on teaching and improving the skills with handicapped students, with emphasis on the blind. She has been instrumental in acquiring grants and funds for research in her specialty area.

Because of her work and concern she has received many awards and recognitions; among them are the Access Award from the American Foundation for the Blind, 1991; Woman of Excellence Award from the YWCA in Lubbock, 1991; Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1989; and the President's Award for Research from Texas Tech University, 1983. She has been named to Notable Women in Texas, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Who's Who in American Women and Who's Who in the World. Most recently, she was appointed by Governor Richards to the Governor's Continuing Committee for Special Education and received the Texas Tech University Academic Achievement Award.

Dr. Sowell has two sons living in San Antonio, John, III and Paul.