Edith E. Dowell

Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at Waters Funeral Chapel, 500 S. Main Street in Vandalia 63382.
Officiating will be: Rev. Bob Hoehn.
Music provided by: Wayne Lynn - soloist.
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Raymond Kirtlink, Paul Kirtlink, Eugene Kirtlink, Jim Kirtlink, Bobby Waters, Ronnie Waters and Wayne Lynn.

Edith Eileen (Kirtlink) Dowell passed away at 5:34 a.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at the home of her daughter in rural Perry, Missouri. Edith grew up in the Bridgewater and Hays Creek area of Ralls County. She attended country schools there and was recently recognized as the oldest living member of the Adiel Baptist Church. After school, Edith worked at the Bobby Brooks Garment Factory as a seamstress and had also worked for several years as a CNA at Tri-County Care Center in Vandalia. She was a full-time homemaker on the family's farm in Ralls County and enjoyed many hobbies. Her church was important to her and she had taught Sunday school and helped with cooking dinners there. Edith also enjoyed gardening, sewing and quiltmaking.

Born: September 28, 1917 in rural New London, Missouri the daughter of Grover Cleveland and Bessie Jane (Lake) Kirtlink.

Married: Wilburn Henry Dowell in Farber, Missouri on December 2, 1934; he preceded her in death on July 15, 1980.

Survivors include: two sons, Marvin D. and wife, Connie Dowell of Hurst, Texas; Larry G. and wife, Zandra Dowell of rural Center, Missouri; two daughters, Carolyn S. and husband, Bob Gish of Vandalia; Lana L. and husband, John Black of rural Perry, Missouri; one sister, Geneva Ruth Waters of Vandalia; nine grandchildren: Lisa Mann of Chesterfield, Missouri; Angela Dowell of St. Louis; Karin Duffy of Ballwin, Missouri; Brady Cowden of O'Fallon, Missouri; Isis Black of rural Perry; Rhonda Smith of Vandalia; Renee James of Vandalia; Darla Terry of Bedford, Texas and Terri Phillips of Oxford, Mississippi; also survived by 10 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: husband, Wilburn; three brothers: Sam Kirtlink, Reavis Kirtlink and Kenneth Kirtlink; two sisters: Margaret Inlow and Nina Matthews.

Memorials are encouraged to the Adiel Baptist Church.