Biography

Gloria P. Dowell, age 90 of West Plains, MO, died in her sleep Tuesday, July 13, 2010. She was making good progress recovering from a bout with pneumonia at the NHC nursing and rehabilitation facility. Her son, Richard had visited her the afternoon before and commented about how well she was doing, and her unusually positive attitude.

Gloria P. Dowell was born December 13, 1919 and was 90 years and seven months old upon her death. She was the seventh child of, and proceded in death by; her father, Charles W Burr, and her mother, Fannie Mae (Hurry) Burr. She was also proceded in death by her eight siblings; Joye E. Knox, Charles W. (Buddy) Burr Jr, Gladys M. Parnell, Timothy R. Burr, Murray N. (Mutt) Burr, Mary D. Burr, Jathan T. (Bobby) Burr, and Bonnie J. Burr. She was also preceded in death by three nieces and nephews, although 20 remain.

Mrs. Dowell and her husband, James Oree Dowell (deceased) began spending several months a year in West Plains in 1978 to be near one of their sons, Charles, his wife, and there three sons. They moved here permanently in 1996, and became a active members of the First Methodist Church. She assumed an active role in the women’s organization. She was an avid gardner and had been featured in several Quill articles. Gloria was also a prize winning quilter. Her quilts are true works of art and love. All of her children and grand children and many of her nieces and nephews have one or more of these quilts. These are true works of art and craft, which are all hand stitched, many containing more than one million stitches. Gloria also expressed her love through cooking. Her chocolate and coconut cream pies, and her chicken and dumplings were particularly outstanding, and appreciated by friends and family.

Gloria is survived by James Richard Dowell and his wife Luci of Koshkonong, MO. Richard and Luci have five children including children from a former marriage: Andrea Dennehy, of Baltimore, MD, her husband Michael and their daughter Francesca Dennehy; Jason Dowell of Arnold, MD, his wife Rina, and their two daughters, Sarah Dowell and Grace Dowell; John Santana of Collingswood, NJ, and his three sons, Justin Santana, Jonathon Santana, and Adam Santana; Steven Santana, of Collingswood, NJ, and his two daughter, Gianna Santana, Isabella Santana; and Debbie McGinnis, of Ocean City, NJ; and her two children, Joseph and Jade.

Gloria is also survived by her son Charles David Dowell and his wife Mary Ann of West Plains, MO. Charles and Mary Ann have three sons: Derek and his wife, Christy of Satellite Beach, FL, and their three children by a former marriage, Cassie Kinder, Tessa Kinder, and Evan Kinder; Drew Dowell and his wife Lisa of Newburyport, MA, and their two daughters, Keira Dowell, and Alanna Dowell; Kent Dowell and his wife PJ of Hollister MO. and have one son by a former marriage, Dakota Dowell.

A funeral Service will be held Friday, July 16, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the First Methodist Church of West Plains. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Madisonville City Cemetery in Madisonville, Texas. She will be buried next to her late husband, who is also being brought back to Madisonville, where they both were born and raised.