Evelyn Dowdle's Obituary
Evelyn Noah Neal Dowdle, 94, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed from this life into the arms of her dear Savior on January 5. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, Evelyn will always be remembered for her devotion to her Lord, her family, and her many friends. She was particularly recognized for her ability to encourage others by her consistent habit of intercessory prayer. One of the first things she would ask in conversation was, “How can I pray for you?”
Born on February 9, 1930, in Carroll County, Mississippi, Evelyn grew up as one of nine children (six brothers and two sisters) of Henry and Mary Noah. They lived on a farm in a three room house with no electricity, no indoor plumbing, and no running water, but an abundance of love, hard work, and laughter. While her brothers and sisters all had outdoor chores, “Sissy”, as she was known to her family, made sure she had chores that let her stay inside!
Evelyn’s career in the dental profession spanned over fifty years. She was loved and respected by her employers, fellow workers, and patients alike for her expertise, personal attention, and loyalty.
One of the greatest joys for Evelyn was her involvement in Bellevue Baptist Church for nearly fifty years. She was active in many ministries, including her Life Group, Women’s Ministry, and especially the sanctuary choir. She even experienced being a part of a concert the choir performed at Carnegie Hall in June, 2016! She loved being a part of these ministries because they allowed her to share her deep love and faith in Jesus, and make wonderful life-long “sister and brother friends”.
On December 24, 1973, Evelyn married Phil Dowdle, and a great adventure began! Phil and Evelyn shared life like few others do, traveling all over the world with great friends. They have cruised multiple rivers and oceans, and have traveled extensively on all seven continents throughout the years. When they traveled, it was always an adventure: hiking, rowing, paddling, zip-lining, running, helicoptering, dog-sledding, climbing, snowmobiling, white water rafting, even being carted around via motorcycle for a tour in Canada in 2023.
Evelyn is survived by her husband, Phil Dowdle, her daughter, Delores Burgess (Bill), as well as her grandchildren Louis Burgess (Melanie), Neal Burgess, and Jennifer Burgess. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Allton Burgess, Emma Grace Burgess, Hadden Burgess, Ruthie Burgess, Burgess Cotham, and Josie Burgess, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who adored their “Aunt Sissy”.
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