Brenda (Graham) Dowling

Brenda Graham Dowling passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on May 24, 2025.  Born on April 16, 1941, she was one of five children born to James Carey Graham, Sr., and Mavis Faulk Graham of Sanford, NC.  Brenda lived a life filled with kindness, strength and abiding love for her family and friends. 

While working as a civilian employee for the Department of the Army at Fort Bragg, NC, Brenda met the love of her life, LTC Dean E. Dowling, USA (Ret). They were married in 1976 until his death in 2024. They combined a family of her two daughters, Jo Anne Cameron Russo and Julie Cameron Rudowski, and his two sons, Keith and Brian Dowling (Cari).  She leaves behind five grandchildren: Jana Watkins (Adam), Joseph Russo, Orion, Chase and Charlie Dowling; and three great-grandchildren: Ava, Austin and Hunter Watkins.

Brenda is also survived by her sister, Kay Graham Key, and brother, James Carey Graham, Jr.  She was preceded in death by her sisters, Janet Graham Poteat and Jean Graham Anderson.  

Dean and Brenda moved to the Washington, DC area where she worked for the Department of Defense in the Pentagon.  Upon her retirement, she worked as a contract employee for the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Bureau of Land Management. 

Outside of her professional career, Brenda was a passionate lover of history, art, politics, good food, travel, and classical music.  She maintained a large circle of lifetime friends who she cherished.

Brenda was a member of Sisterhood P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization that celebrates the advancement of women through scholarships, grants, awards and loans.  She served as President of the Chapel Hill AT Chapter in 2022-2023. She was also a member of the Governor’s Club Bible Study Group and Book Club.

A Celebration of Life will be held at her home, 73219 Burrington, Chapel Hill on Saturday, May 31st at 2:00.  She will be laid to rest with Dean at a graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC at a later date. 

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