Mabel "Pinkie" Kathleen (Hall) Dowdy

Mabel Kathleen “Pinkie” Hall Dowdy, age 97, of the Asbury Community, passed away Monday, January 17, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Lee County, NC on January 3, 1925 to the late Samuel D. Hall and Nora Lee Burns Hall.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Joseph Oren Dowdy and siblings S.D. Hall, Jr.,  Henry Hall, Max Hall, Jack Hall, Bobbie Sue Wall, Jerry Hall and Billy Hall. 

Though Pinkie only finished 12th grade, she valued education and was a life long learner. She could beat most anyone in a round of trivial pursit or her favoirte, Jeopardy. One of her favorite things to tell her grands and great grands was “Go make me some A’s.” Pinkie was a devoted wife to her husband, Joe, and a dedicated mother and homemaker. She was very involved in the girls’ PTAs and made frequent trips to support them during their college years. The family always traveled together and spent lots of time doing water sports in whatever muddy water they may find.  Later, Pinkie enjoyed travelling with her husband and grands. Together, they took them to nearly every state and made annual Spring Break trips to Florida, but their favorite place was Lake Gaston. Many warm days and nights were spent in the water, on the boat, at the pier, and playing card games late into the night. During Joe’s retirement years, they enjoyed wintering in Frostproof, Fla., only coming back to the cold to see an occaisional great grandchild arrive. Pinke was well known as an etiquette expert and directed more weddings than we can count. She also taught the Kindergarten age Sunday school class at Asbury UMC for many years, with generations of families crossing her path in that role. She loved collecting dolls, nightly Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune viewing, and could outshop us all.

She is survived by her daughters Cynthia Jo Wicker and husband Jerry and Donna Lee Phillips and husband Landis all of Asbury; sister Juanita Bryant of Cumnock; four grandchildren Wendy Wicker Phillips and husband Dwayne of Asbury, Jody Wicker and wife Wendi of Bennett, Jason Phillips and wife Tina of Liberty, Joshua Phillips and wife Cindy of Raleigh; and six great-grandchildren Bryce Wicker Phillips, Sophie Kathleen Phillips, Ellie Claire Phillips, Reagan Leigh Phillips, Reed Harrison Wicker and Vernon Lane McGee-Phillips.

Pinkie’s funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 4:00 PM at Asbury United Methodist Church with Rev. Donald Burns officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall and other times at the family home.  Pinkie will lie-in-state at the funeral home Tuesday from 12:00 PM through Wednesday at 1:00 PM, should you wish to come sign the register book and pay your respects.

Flowers are appreciated but consider donations to “Miss Pinkie’s Playground” at Asbury United Methodist Church, 805 Asbury Church Road, Sanford, NC 27330.

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