Annie Dowdy

Annie Mary Elliott Dowdy, 93, of Lancaster, OH departed this life on Friday, November 5, 2010. Born November 30, 1916, in Hale County, AL, she was an avid gardener and dedicated nurse. While studying for her R.N. at Hillman Hospital in Birmingham, AL, she met the love of her life, Frederick Ashley Dowdy, M.D, and they married immediately after her graduation in 1940. Following Ashley’s service in WWII, they moved to and opened a practice in Lancaster in 1946. When Annie Mary didn’t have her hands in the dirt or wasn’t taking additional studies, she kept active in nursing by working in her husband’s office and as one of Lancaster’s Visiting Nurses, and by volunteering to staff the blood pressure clinic she started at her church. She will be remembered for her green thumb which produced spectacular displays of flowers in front of her home every summer. After moving to her assisted living apartment, she was viewed as a horticultural resource to residents and staff. She kept her green thumb by planting and tending large pots of flowers on the patio near her apartment. Every year she received many compliments from people who looked for her flowers. Annie Mary is preceded in death by her husband Ashley, her parents Vivian and David Elliott, and four brothers, Raymond, Odes, John “Tunt”, and Charles “Boots” Elliott. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Janet “Jan” Dowdy Granger of Westerville; dear friend, Mary Williams of Lancaster; her goddaughter, Mary Leah “Lee” Carpenter Ballard of Delaware; and three sisters-in-law, Kathryn Elliott of Tuscaloosa, AL, Frances Elliott of Las Vegas, NV, and Julia “Judy” Norris of Johnson City, TN; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Annie Mary’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at First United Methodist Church, 163 E. Wheeling St., Lancaster, OH 43130. Friends will be received in the church parlor immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to the church. Sincere gratitude is expressed to the aides who cared for Annie Mary in her final weeks (Joan, Liz, Loretta, Reba and Sandy) and to the staff and residents of Lanfair Center who loved and cared for Annie Mary and made her last years memorable; God bless you!

Memorial Service

Saturday December 4, 2010 , 1:00 - PM at First United Methodist Church