Martha Nann Dowell

Martha Nann Clark Dowell, 77, of Maumelle, Arkansas formerly of Gurdon and Russellville, Arkansas passed away December 24, 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Dowell was born to Joe Grady Clark and Julia Mae Reid Clark. Martha graduated in 1951 from Okolona High School as its Valedictorian. In 1954, she graduated from Henderson State University with a BSE in Education and as its Valedictorian, and then received her master's in Education from the University of Arkansas in 1956. She then went on to receive her PHD in Health and Physical Education from Texas A&M University in 1979. Mrs. Dowell taught from 1955-1956 at Amarillo Junior College, then Henderson State University from 1956-1958; University of Arkansas 1958-1960; then she began her 32 year teaching career from 1968-2000 at Arkansas Tech University. She was President of the Women's Dame Club and Phi Mu sorority faculty sponsor. She was a long time active member and volunteer of the First United Methodist Church of Russellville and was a current member of the First United Methodist Church of Maumelle. She was actively involved in organizing the annual Clark-Wingfield family reunion. Martha Nann was a loving spouse, mother, grandmother and devoted teacher. She was preceded in death by her mother and father and one brother, Joe Thomas Clark. She is survived by her husband, Carroll Davis Dowell of Maumelle, Ark.; two sons, Michael Toby Dowell and wife Kimberly Ann Kellam Dowell of Maumelle, Ark. and Gregory Clark Dowell and wife Kay Elizabeth Dowell of Dallas, Texas; one sister, Julie Sharon Clark Cash of Camden, Ark.; four grandchildren, Fletcher Clark Dowell, Ashley Renee Dowell, Garrison Chase Dowell and Jeremy Ryan Dowell. Services will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the Center Grove Church with Travis Langley officiating, interment to follow in Center Ridge Cemetery under the direction of Pharr Funeral Home of Gurdon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Methodist Children's Home, 2002 South Fillmore, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204.