DONALD LEIGH DOWDLE

DONALD LEIGH DOWDLE, longtime Somerville Community resident, establisher of the former Fayette County Review newspaper, Owner and Publisher of the current Mid-South Horse Review in Somerville and husband of Sissy Dowdle, died at 3:45 A.M. Friday, October 24, 2008 at the Galloway Healthcare Center where he had been a patient for one week. He was 58 years of age and died following a hard-fought, extended illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Dowdle were conducted at 2 P.M. Monday, October 26th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Dr. Kenneth Culver, Pastor of the Warren Community Church, officiating. Special Remarks were provided by Mr. Dowdle's eldest daughter, Laura Anne Dowdle Marshall. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Dowdle was born June 16, 1950 in Charleston, Mississippi to James Leigh Dowdle, now deceased and Martha Johnson Dowdle, who survives. He attended Tallahatchie County Schools in Mississippi, graduating in 1968 from East Tallahatchie High School in Charleston. After graduation he entered Mississippi State University in Starkville. His senior year, he served as Editor of the university's newspaper, the Reflector . He graduated in 1973 with a Degree in Business & Industry.

After college, he continued his journalistic interests and founded the Buffalo River Review in 1976 in Linden, Tennessee; the first of many Review newspapers to come.  Then, pen and camera in hand, he moved to Somerville in 1982 and started the Fayette County Review . A modest, shy, young man, he could be seen at many local events capturing photos for the new local paper. The " Review" grew in popularity and circulation and Mr. Dowdle was Publisher and Owner of the paper for well over 20 years. He will be remembered as a no nonsense newspaperman. Unencumbered by social, political and sometimes even personal pressure, he remained true to the editorial code of ethics, fearlessly defying the status quo to deliver factual, straight to the point news to the citizens of Fayette County and beyond.

His other publications included the annual Field Trial Review which he formed in 1986; the Kerens Tribune in Kerens, Texas, which he acquired; the East Shelby Review , the Southern Livestock Review and the Mid-South Horse Review which he began in 1992 and published tirelessly from the Somerville Square long after health permitted until his death.

Mr. Dowdle was an innovator who stayed current with technological developments in media arts, and when new methods replaced old, he adapted quickly.  His career began with paper copy, scissors, wax, flash camera and dark room and ended with desktop publishing software, digital camera, email and website.

Mr. Dowdle was active in many civic organizations, events and associations including: Alderman for the Town of Somerville from 1990 to 1994; member of the Somerville Rotary Club, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, American Livestock Association, Board Member of the Tennessee Cattleman's Association and the Tennessee Press Association (TPA).  Mr. Dowdle received numerous awards including First Place from TPA's The University of Tennessee State Press Award for Best Single Editorial for the Fayette County Review in 1999.

Mr. Dowdle was an active member of the Warren Community Church which he helped pioneer. He practiced his faith through his actions by providing his time, mentorship, employment, support and friendship to many Fayette County citizens in need.  As an employer, his complexities were often misunderstood, but he had a "method to his madness" and has left a lasting mark on many who have gained success through his tutelage.

In addition to his publishing work, Mr. Dowdle had numerous other talents and interests. A highly skilled, professional photographer, he captured famed musicians, equine events, landscapes and loved ones with an artistic flair. He was the official photographer for the yearly bird dog Field Trial Championships at Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, Tennessee, even while battling his long illness. He was a "21st Century Cowboy, an equestrian, political activist, farmer's advocate, humanitarian, animal husbandry man, businessman, visionary, novelist, poet, song writer and Steve Earle music lover.

Mr. Dowdle married his cowgirl; the former Lee "Sissy" Saunders Sterling, on December 4, 1994, in a western style wedding. Amidst his vigorous schedule, he was a devoted family man, a proud father who adored his daughters and indulged them in whatever ways he could. He loved spending time with his youngest daughter Meredith, who brought much joy to him in his final days. His article, "Skating With Meredith" about their day at the skating rink moved many readers of the local paper.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Dowdle is survived by three daughters: Laura Anne Dowdle Marshall (Bryan) of Brandon, MS; Meredith LeighAnne Dowdle of Somerville and Britain Sterling of Jackson Hole, WY; his beloved mother, Martha Johnson Dowdle of Fulton, MS; his sister, Madge Dowdle Fisher (Rev. Jim Fisher) of Fulton, MS; his brother Glynn Dowdle (Brenda) of Nashville; granddaughter Meri Morgan Marshall of Brandon, MS; one nephew, three nieces, one great nephew, and a host of admirers, friends, associates and past and present employees who will greatly miss him.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Bob Doll, John Grant, Philip Howard, Guy Johnson, Robert Johnson, David Landrum, Larry Landrum and Joey May.

The family request that Memorials be directed to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Phone: 1-800-805-5856.