Harry Lafayette Dowell

Mr. Harry Lafayette Dowell, 82, of 590 Crossingham Road, Mount Airy, NC went to his eternal home to be with Jesus on Sunday, April 15, 2012. A resident of this area all of his life, Mr. Dowell was born on September 2, 1929, son of the late Ambrose Lafayette Dowell and Lissie Deatherage Dowell. Mr. Dowell was a retired Vice President of Transportation Services at Spencer's incorporated, where he work for 53 years. He was a member and a Deacon of First Baptist Church of Mount Airy. His passions include church, gardening, and walking. He was an active member of other local churches where he also served as Deacon and Treasurer until his health prevented him from doing so. On September 2, 1949, Mr. Dowell married the love of his life, Bobbie Ruth Hall of Toast. They were married for 56 years until she was called to her eternal home on October 13, 2006. Surviving children include a daughter Judith Ann Armstrong and husband Phillip of Ararat, NC; three sons, Timothy Mark and wife Debbie, Stephen Paul and wife Tammy, Christopher Todd and wife Shannon all of Mount Airy. Mr. Dowell was proud of his grandchildren, Ingle Armstrong-Sloop and husband Chris, Summer Hughes and husband Tim, Keri Brinkley and husband Justin, Brandon Dowell, Lyndsi Dowell, Matthew Dowell, and Alisha Dowell. He was also proud of his great grandchildren, the Sloops, Cameron and Chloe, the Hughes, Cory and Dakota, the Brinkleys, Jared, Preston, Cohen and Katherine. Mr. Dowell was a member of one of the area's largest families with seven brothers and seven sisters. Surviving brothers and sisters are Opal Marion of Winston-Salem, Thelma Dowell, Charles Dowell, A.L. Dowell, Jr., Jack Dowell all of Mount Airy, Nancy Adams of Greensboro, Jim Dowell of Lowgap and Carolyne Churchill of Williamsburg, VA. Mr. Dowell was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Edith Joyce, Betty Neese, Patricia Jarrett, Byron Dowell, Leo Dowell and Roscoe Dowell. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Mount Airy with Reverend Steve Ayers and Gene Garland officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 PM on Tuesday in the Fireside Room at First Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made to the donors choice. A very special thank you to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care of Mount Airy and to Sandy Tilley and Tabitha Kelley for the excellent and loving care provided. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.