Mary Edna Dowdle

Mary Edna Dowdle, who was born January 26, 1913, was released from her earthly body on Monday, June 13, 2011. "Miss Mary", as she was lovingly called by family and friends alike, was the only daughter born to John and Pearl Crofton Dowdle who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by a brother who died as a young child. After graduating from Mineral Springs High School, Miss Mary attended and graduated from Henderson State College. She then returned to Mineral Springs and began her life work as a teacher. She started teaching the 3rd grade, but soon moved to the junior and senior high school where for the next 30 plus years she shared her love of American History and English with future generations of Mineral Springs students. Miss Mary was an excellent teacher; but she was more than that. She was a mentor and friend to every student she taught. In addition to her role as teacher, Miss Mary was a wonderful daughter who honored and cared for her parents until their deaths. She was also very active in her faith and was a member of Central Baptist Church in Mineral Springs. Miss Mary is survived by several cousins. "A hundred years from now no one will remember How much money I had in the bank What kind of car I drove Or what job I had But I will be remembered as someone special Because I made a difference in the life of a child." While she never married or had biological children, it is fair to say that she is survived by generations of students from Mineral Springs High School whose lives are much richer for having been taught by and loved by her. A service will be held Saturday, June 18, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Central Baptist Church in Mineral Springs with Brother Ben Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Mineral Springs Cemetery under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home, Nashville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations in Miss Mary's memory can be made to Central Baptist Church. Visitation will be on Friday, from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Sympathy messages may be sent to www.latimerfuneralhome.com.