JOHN FRANKLIN DOWDY

JOHN FRANKLIN DOWDY, Fayette County Commissioner, well-known resident of Fayette County and retired Owner and Operator of Dowdy House Movers died Friday afternoon, January 29, 2010 at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee where he had been a patient for two days. He was 67 years of age and died unexpectedly.

Funeral services for Mr. Dowdy were conducted at 2 P.M. Tuesday, February 2nd at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Dr. Paul Barkley of Memphis, former Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church at Laconia, officiating. Interment followed in the Liberty Cemetery near Laconia. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Dowdy was born December 19, 1942 in Somerville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher Amos Dowdy and Katie Marie Henry Dowdy.

He attended area public schools and was a graduate of the Fayette County High School in Somerville, Class of 1962.

Mr. Dowdy was a lifelong resident of the Whiteville and Somerville areas and was a well-known House Mover in West Tennessee. He owned and operated Dowdy House Movers until his retirement two years ago.

He served in the Tennessee National Guard in earlier years and was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church.

He held a lifelong interest in politics and served as a Fayette County Commissioner for District 2 for the past eight years.

Mr. Dowdy will be remembered as a friend to many with an outgoing personality who enjoyed music.

He held a deep devotion to his family and community and participated in numerous charitable fundraising events for local organizations.

Survivors of Mr. Dowdy include two daughters, Kim Rosser of Oakland and Tori Crawford of Somerville; four brothers: Earl Dowdy, Vernon Dowdy, Ernie Dowdy and Danny Dowdy, all of Somerville and three grandchildren: Collin Rosser, Brooke Rosser and Anna-Claire Rosser.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Herman Henry Dowdy and his sister, Goldie Dawn Dowdy.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Kevin Crawford, Brian Dowdy, Daniel Dowdy, Doug Dowdy, Nathan Dowdy, Tim Dowdy, L. A. Rogers and Rick Rosser.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Liberty Baptist Church, C/O Reba Dowdy, Treasurer, 900 Railroad Drive, Somerville, TN 38068; Phone (901) 465-8388 or to the Fayette County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, C/O American Cancer Society, 1378 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104-3623; Phone: (901) 278-2000.