Mary Dowell

Mary Rebecca Dowell, age 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 after several years of declining health. Born on December 17, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Edward William Dowell and Gelania Moore Dowell. Mary graduated from Union Grove High School and devoted her life to caring for her parents and helping on the family farm. She also cared for her invalid sister, Elma, who was bedfast with rheumatoid arthritis for over fifty years. Mary's reward should surely be a special place in heaven. Mary was a lifelong member of New Prospect Baptist Church. After going to live with her sister in 1988, she faithfully attended First Baptist Church in Statesville and was a member of the Esther Bible Class. Her knowledge of the Bible was amazing, and she loved to sing hymns, even in her final days. Mary also enjoyed nearly 20 years as a participant at Elder Center where she was a joy to everyone. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by sisters Augusta Smith and Elma Dowell, brothers Reuben Dowell (who died in infancy), Clayton Dowell (Texie), Ralph Dowell (Flora Dell), brother-in-law Bill I. Long and nephew Bill I. Long, Jr. Mary is survived by her sister, Bartley "Bobbie" Long with whom she had made her home. She is also survived by her brother Bruce Dowell (Anne) of Winston-Salem, nieces Gayle L. Kummer, Beth L. Webb (Jimmy), and Priscilla D. Plyler (Allen) of Statesville, Barbara S. Lambeth (Spurgeon) of Houston, Texas, Elizabeth Dowell of Salem, Oregon, Katherine D. Dunn, Sarah D. Richardson (Rudy) and Sherry W. Long of Winston-Salem. Services will be held at New Prospect Baptist Church with Pastor Joey Campbell and Rev. Dwight Dowell officiating. A graveside service will be at 1:30 PM on Sunday, March 23, 2014 in the church cemetery followed by a memorial service and celebration of life at 2:00 PM. The family will visit with friends following the service. Mary was a kind, sweet, gentle lady who loved everyone and was much loved in return. For those who wish to honor Mary, the family requests that memorials be made to New Prospect Baptist Church, 509 Prospect Church Road, Statesville, NC 28625 (Attn: Ronald Millsaps), to Elder Center at 248 Davie Avenue, Statesville, NC 28677, or to the charity of your choice. The family thanks the staff of Elder Center, Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, Dr. James Foushee, and the special nurses and staff at Brian Center for their kindness and care. Online condolences may be made to the family at and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.