Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home accused of wrongful discharge

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston funeral home has been accused of wrongful discharge.

Leonard Johnson Funeral Home is doing business as Barlow-Bonsall Funeral Home. Mark L. Johnson was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On May 6, 2011, Stacy Sowers was hired as a web designer for the defendants, according to a complaint filed Feb. 3 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Sowers claims the defendants sent her an e-mail on Jan. 3 that her employment was being terminated.

When Sowers received her last paycheck, it did not include unpaid vacation pay, severance pay or any pay covering the 30-day notice pursuant to the agreement, according to the suit.

Sowers claims her last paycheck also had $900 deducted for the re-payment of a loan she previously had received from Barlow.

The defendants' unlawful breach of contract caused Sowers to suffer lost wages and benefits, according to the suit.

Sowers is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. She is being represented by Richard W. Walters.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-217