Clarence Ashby Dowell

Clarence Ashby "Brother" Dowell GREENWOOD

Clarence Ashby "Brother" Dowell, a kind and gentle soul, departed this life on Sunday morning, November 22, 2009, at the age of 96.

As well as being a hard worker all of his life, he was an avid outdoorsman, particularly enjoying fishing in the ponds and the rivers of Albemarle and surrounding counties and hunting in the pastures and the Blue Ridge Mountains near his home in Greenwood, Virginia.

He was born on August 14, 1913, in Greenwood, the only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Eldon Dowell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Collins Dowell; and by two of his sisters, Louise Ellinger of Greenwood and Virginia Wood of Waynesboro.

He is survived by his son, Robert Dowell and his wife, Ruby, of Crimora; his daughter, Sandra Baker and her husband, Robert, of Lyndhurst; and his daughter, Delores Smith of Greenwood.

He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Beth Baker, Ricky Baker, Chrissy Smith Shaw, Ashby Smith, David Smith Jr., Molly Basili, and John Baber. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Joyce Brooker of Rutherford, North Carolina; and by several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service, officiated by the Reverend Charles Mullaly Jr., will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood, where generations of his family have worshipped since the 1800s.

Family and friends may call at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any desired memorial contributions be made to the Bread Fund at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 38, Greenwood, Virginia 22943.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online at www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.