Obituary for Virginia Pearl Dowdle (Dills)
Virginia Pearl Dowdle (Dills), 88, of Otto, NC, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022 after a period of declining health.
Born on June 7, 1934 to the late Alex and Neta (Bell) Dills, Virginia spent her 88 years living in sight of all the houses she called Home. When she was a year old she began attending church at Coweeta Baptist Church with her family, where she would later teach Sunday School and was proud to be the oldest living member for the most consecutive years. Virginia graduated from Franklin High School in 1953 and during her early years, she worked at People's on Main. Shortly after graduating, she married her husband, Shirley and they were married for 55 years before he passed away in 2012. She was a strong and independent woman and was quite literally the definition of a "Jill of all trades"; she enjoyed doing projects around the home, including building, laying rock, crafting, keeping a vegetable and flower garden and canning and preserving the fruits of her labor. She was also a talented seamstress; she made clothing for friends and family, stuffed toys, quilts and crocheted and knitted. Virginia loved her family more than anything but had a great love for animals as well, especially birds, chickens, geese and her special needs dog, Jack. All while keeping a home and raising a family, Virginia was an entrepreneur and started the Cloth Shop and Otto Auction-Mini Mall. One could say that she lived a very successful and fulfilling life after accomplishing so much but, at the age of 54, Virginia went back to college and in 1988 she graduated from Southwestern Community College's Basic Law Enforcement Training program. She worked under three Sheriffs and was an invaluable part of the law enforcement community for 21 years. Through her strong faith and dedication, Virginia was an instrumental part in starting her grandson, Nathan, in the ministry and singing. Many years and miles were spent taking him places to sing; something she was very proud of. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and was very proud of her daughter and each of her grandchildren. Although she stayed busy, Virginia spent many summers in Hiawassee where she enjoyed relaxing and rocking on the porch, looking out over the lake. She will be missed immeasurably by her family and friends and remembered for the love she gave, unconditionally.
She is survived by her daughter and loyal caregiver, Regina Lawrence and husband David; her beloved grandchildren, Nathan Parrish and wife Sarah of Panama City, FL, Kane Parrish and girlfriend Sonja Williams of Knoxville, TN and Rheanna Parrish, of the home; nieces, Robin Fields and Jayne Anderson and many extended family and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Coweeta Baptist Church. Rev. Davis Hooper and Rev. Keith Ashe will officiate. Burial will be in the Coweeta Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2-3:00 pm, prior to the service, at Coweeta Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be David Lawrence, Kane Parrish, Richard Davis, Roy Chastain, Kenny Chastain, Toby Bateman and Ronnie Cannon. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Patrica McKay, Jayne Anderson, Robin Fields, Melissa Ziegler, Sonja Williams and Norma Norton, her best friend of over 20 years who cannot attend.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Condolences can be made online at www.maconfuneralhome.com.
Born on June 7, 1934 to the late Alex and Neta (Bell) Dills, Virginia spent her 88 years living in sight of all the houses she called Home. When she was a year old she began attending church at Coweeta Baptist Church with her family, where she would later teach Sunday School and was proud to be the oldest living member for the most consecutive years. Virginia graduated from Franklin High School in 1953 and during her early years, she worked at People's on Main. Shortly after graduating, she married her husband, Shirley and they were married for 55 years before he passed away in 2012. She was a strong and independent woman and was quite literally the definition of a "Jill of all trades"; she enjoyed doing projects around the home, including building, laying rock, crafting, keeping a vegetable and flower garden and canning and preserving the fruits of her labor. She was also a talented seamstress; she made clothing for friends and family, stuffed toys, quilts and crocheted and knitted. Virginia loved her family more than anything but had a great love for animals as well, especially birds, chickens, geese and her special needs dog, Jack. All while keeping a home and raising a family, Virginia was an entrepreneur and started the Cloth Shop and Otto Auction-Mini Mall. One could say that she lived a very successful and fulfilling life after accomplishing so much but, at the age of 54, Virginia went back to college and in 1988 she graduated from Southwestern Community College's Basic Law Enforcement Training program. She worked under three Sheriffs and was an invaluable part of the law enforcement community for 21 years. Through her strong faith and dedication, Virginia was an instrumental part in starting her grandson, Nathan, in the ministry and singing. Many years and miles were spent taking him places to sing; something she was very proud of. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and was very proud of her daughter and each of her grandchildren. Although she stayed busy, Virginia spent many summers in Hiawassee where she enjoyed relaxing and rocking on the porch, looking out over the lake. She will be missed immeasurably by her family and friends and remembered for the love she gave, unconditionally.
She is survived by her daughter and loyal caregiver, Regina Lawrence and husband David; her beloved grandchildren, Nathan Parrish and wife Sarah of Panama City, FL, Kane Parrish and girlfriend Sonja Williams of Knoxville, TN and Rheanna Parrish, of the home; nieces, Robin Fields and Jayne Anderson and many extended family and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Coweeta Baptist Church. Rev. Davis Hooper and Rev. Keith Ashe will officiate. Burial will be in the Coweeta Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2-3:00 pm, prior to the service, at Coweeta Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be David Lawrence, Kane Parrish, Richard Davis, Roy Chastain, Kenny Chastain, Toby Bateman and Ronnie Cannon. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Patrica McKay, Jayne Anderson, Robin Fields, Melissa Ziegler, Sonja Williams and Norma Norton, her best friend of over 20 years who cannot attend.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Condolences can be made online at www.maconfuneralhome.com.