Mary Dowell

Graveside services are scheduled at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 8 at Woodbine Cemetery, for Mary Elizabeth Dowell, 612 S. Fourth, Artesia, New Mexico. PMary Dowell, 94, died April 5, 2006 at her home. PRev. Paul Duerksen of First United Methodist Church will officiate at the services. PVisitation will be at Terpening amp; Son Mortuary beginning at 10 a.m. Friday. The family will greet friends and family at the Mortuary from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday. PMary was born January 20, 1912 in Artesia; the daughter of John Mace and Lizzie Jackson. POn November 25, 1934 she married Alvin Reid Dowell. He preceded her in death in 1989. She kept books for the Dowell Mobil service station. Many friends were made during the years they were in business. PMary was a member of the Methodist faith and was honored as the oldest member when First United Methodist Church of Artesia celebrated their 100th anniversary. She was enrolled as an infant on the cradle roll. One of her fondest memories of her service in the church was when she provided the home and worked to bring a Vietnamese family to Artesia. Many of her friends remember those times as well. Mary taught Sunday School and was active for many years before she became the caregiver of her parents. In her later years, each Sunday morning found her dressed and ready for her church services on the radio. PMary loved to tell that she was born the year New Mexico became a state. In 2005 she was honored as the Grand Marshall in the centennial 4th of July parade as one of the oldest living residents of Artesia, having made her home here all her life. PMary attended Artesia High School and was the captain of the girls basketball team her senior year when they won the state championship. After graduation she worked for her father at Bolton-Jackson Chevrolet and later for Mr. Whitson at the Artesia Laundry and Cleaners. PHer civic activities included the Cemetery Board, Womans Club and donating the Potter carriage house to the museum. She was honored with the living treasure award in 2003. As a longtime resident of Artesia, Mary was asked to write an article for the book, Artesia-Heart of the Pecos. PShe and her husband bought the Jackson family home from her parents. Over the years, Marys family has gathered to share many moments of laughter in a home filled with love. PMary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 3 brothers and 5 sisters. PShe is survived by her son John Dowell and wife Brenda of Artesia; her grandson Stephen Dowell and wife Beth; great grandchildren Cody , Jenna and Stephanie all of Lovington; her daughter Janette Moore and husband Nelson, her granddaughter Robin Kneisel, great-grandchildren Joshua and Amanda all of Bedford, Texas, her granddaughter Janell Moore-Ferguson and husband Curtis, great-grandchildren Jarad, Riley, and Drew all of Bedford; her daughter Rosemary Freemyer and husband Len, her granddaughter Phoebe Freeman and husband Craig, great-grandchildren Randie and Lensie all of Branson, Missouri, her granddaughter Michele Grabbe and husband Sean, great-grandchildren Reagan, Jacob and Elizabeth all of Bozeman, Montana; her sister Anna Walton of Artesia and numerous nieces and nephews. PHer family would like to especially thank those very special ladies who took such loving care of Mary and enabled her to stay in the home she so loved. They are her Honorary Caregivers: Dee Ann Baer, Janis Day, Mary Ehrhart, Johanna LaRue, Sue Simer, Mary Lou Stevenson and Leslie Underwood.
Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Artesia or Lakeview Hospice, 1300 N. Canal Carlsbad, NM 88220