Betty Dowdle

Betty Church Dowdle, 89 of Statesville, NC passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Betty was born in Iredell County to the late Boyce and Jenettie Mitchell Church on December 31, 1934.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Dowdle and they enjoyed 58 years together.

She was a charter member of Mt. Sinai EMC Church, was a faithful member of the Choir and the Ladies Group before her declining health. She attended Harmony school and retired from JP Stevens as a training instructor.

Her life was devoted to her Lord and Savior and to taking care of her family, both of which she loved dearly. Just let one of her family members or a friend walk through the door and the smile was on her face. She enjoyed traveling, camping, and spending time with her family and friends. There was never a dull moment when the three sisters got together. Really not sure how she always managed to prepare lunch for the family on Sunday morning, get to church and she looked forward to all of us being there for lunch after church.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brother, Bob Church (Martha) and brothers-in-law, Johnny Tilley, and Tim Kilpatrick.

Left to cherish her memory is a daughter, Brenda Bell (Odean); two sons, Steve Dowdle and Rick Dowdle (Dianna); her grandchildren, Steven Dowdle (Katie), Crystal Mayes (Jimmy), Kyle Bell (Lindsey), Ethan Dowdle (Alena), Karlie Dowdle (Austin), Jeremiah and Aaron Collins; eight great-grandchildren, Ali Grace and Riley Dowdle and Garrett and Raelynn Mayes, Mallory, Hadley and Rhett Bell, and Benjamin Dowdle. She is further survived by her sisters, Pearly Tilley and Margie Kilpatrick; her brother, Odell Church (Debra); sisters-in-law, Nell Goforth (Ray), Marie Brabson (Bobby), Louise Williamson (Bill), Pauline Stiwinter, and Carolyn Chastain (Roy); many loving nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 2nd at Mt. Sinai EMC on Fairmount Rd. Statesville, NC with Rev. Randy Church and Rev. Michael Kilpatrick officiating. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 1:00 until 1:50 pm. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd. Statesville, NC 28625 or to Mt. Sinai Church Cemetery Fund, 306 Fairmount Rd. Statesville, NC 28625.

Our family expresses a sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all her wonderful caregivers from Hospice and Dianna Melvin. Mom loved you all.