Reta Mae Dowdy

Reta Mae Dowdy age 94, of Purcell, OK passed away Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at Sunset Estates Nursing Home in Purcell. She was born February 5, 1924, in Washington, OK. Reta was the 10th child of eleven children born to Thurston Lewis Tompkins and Mamie (Jones) Tompkins. Reta grew up a country girl northeast of Washington and attended the Ladd School. At a young age she married the love of her life, Luther Eugene Dowdy. They were married on June 15, 1940, and together they raised three children, Carl, Jerry and Charlotte. Reta worked hard throughout her life. Not only was she a homemaker, wife and mother, she also worked outside of the home for 35 years as a Pharmacy Tech, working for Exchange Pharmacy in OKC. Reta and Luther lived in the Washington and Purcell area for a length of time, they also lived in Texas for a while. However most of her working years she lived in OKC. For the past 16 years she has lived in Purcell, close to her daughter and grandchildren. Reta was a faithful Christian all of her life. Where ever she lived she attended church. While in the Purcell area she attended the Pentecostal Holiness Church and later the First Baptist Church. She loved being outdoors and working with her hands in her flower gardens. She was an avid reader, she enjoyed working crossword puzzles and playing games with her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by: Parents, Thurston and Mamie Tompkins. Husband, Luther Dowdy in 2008. Two sons, Jerry Alton Dowdy in 1972 and Carl Ray Dowdy in 2009. Five brothers, Joe, Mart, Oren, Irven and Mack Tompkins. Five sisters, Two adult sisters, Laura Idleman, Iosa Rollins, and three infant sisters, Effie, Wanda and Frances. Two granddaughters, Renee Cagle and Gail Wheeler. She is survived by:One daughter, Charlotte Holleman and husband Richard of Purcell. Two granddaughters, Alicia Banks and husband Scott of Purcell, Amber Banks and husband Tim of Purcell. Six great grandchildren, Caleb and Zachery Wheeler, Lauren, Addison and Ethan Banks and Hadley Banks. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, November 1, 2018, at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell, OK. Burial will follow at Washington Cemetery.

Reta Mae Dowdy

February 5, 1924 - October 30, 2018