Jack Dowe Sr.

Jack E. Dowe, Sr.

Vicksburg

Jack Ellis Dowe, Sr. passed away on April 14, 2015, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Meadville, MS. He was 82 years old. Born in Hinds County to Oscar Oliver Dowe and Crystelle Cook Dowe in 1932, he was the fourth of five children. He graduated from Utica High School in 1950. In 1953 he married, Joy Ann Thornton of Waverly, Louisiana. The young couple set out with love and optimism on adventures that helped them become best friends, business partners, exemplary parents and community supporters. They moved to California in 1958 and remained in Sacramento until 1960, when they returned to Vicksburg. They treasure the enduring friendships they made along the way. In 1963, Jack and JoAnn bought a home in Cayuga and in 1968, they opened Jack Dowe Supermarket on Highway 27. Mr. Dowe was instrumental in establishing the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Clinic next to the store so that many rural people could have access to doctors and dentists. He loved people from all walks of life and was generous with his time and his many gifts. He was a Christian man and a member of the Stevens Masonic Lodge of Vicksburg for 53 years.

Mr. Dowe was a good steward of the land and he enjoyed hunting deer, turkey and squirrels in the company of friends and family. Those who knew him well appreciated his wisdom, his quick wit, his compassion, his style and his love of life. His courage and physical and moral strength enabled him to carve a niche on his own terms for himself and his family.

The world was a better place because of his presence, and he will be sorely missed.

Mr. Dowe is survived by "Miss Jo," his virtuous and lovely wife of 62 years; three children, Cheryl Dowe Carpenter of Decatur, Alabama, Jack Ellis Dowe, Jr. (Karen) of Vicksburg and Amy Dowe Prine of Cayuga; seven grandchildren, Jules Carpenter (Katie), Emily Joy Carpenter of Huntsville, Alabama, Robert Carpenter (Stevie) of Springfield, Missouri, Jack Ellis Dowe, III, David Allen Prine, III, William Aden Dowe and Thomas Cole Dowe; great-granddaughter, Sophia Carpenter; two brothers, Ralph Dowe (Ethel) of Tallulah, Louisiana and Robert Dowe (Clover) of Utica, Mississippi and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded by his parents; his brother, W. T. (Bill) Dowe of Delhi, Louisiana and his sister, Emma Jean Smith of Vicksburg.

Services will be held at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg on Saturday, April 18th, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of the service. Burial will be in Cayuga Cemetery in Utica, MS.

Pallbearers will be Earl May, Andrew Butts, Jules Carpenter, Robert Carpenter, Robert Dowe, Jr., Ralph Dowe, Jr., Jack Dowe, III, and David Prine, III. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Kivett of Richmond, Louisiana, Kenneth Vaughan of Pearl, Ronnie McGowan of Vicksburg, Mark McGowan, Will Dowe, and Thomas Dowe.