Helen Sowma Dowler, 88, of Tifton passed away Saturday, February 5, 2022, at her residence. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Tifton’s First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Hugh Ward officiating. Allen Boyd and Josh Boyd will offer eulogies. Mrs. Dowler will be laid to rest at Tift Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Tifton’s First Presbyterian Church from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service.
Rod Heyerdahl, Allen Boyd, Josh Boyd, Paul Bott, Brett Henderson and Doug Smith will serve as pallbearers.
Born January 8, 1934, in Sistersville, West Virginia, Mrs. Dowler was the daughter of the late David Sowma and Katheryn Essof Sowma. She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Dr. Carol Ann Dowler and Gayle Dowler; and two brothers, Joseph Sowma and Johnny Sowma. Before retiring, she was a teacher and counselor at Lake Drive Elementary School and J. T. Reddick Middle School in Tifton. She was a longtime member of Tift County Retired Educators; Delta Kappa Gamma, Tifton Pilot Club and Tifton Optimist Club. She was a member of Tifton’s First Presbyterian Church, where she was very active, being an elder and former President of Women of the Church. She was a good and faithful servant of the Lord.
Mrs. Dowler is survived by her husband, Clyde Dowler of Tifton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Rod Heyerdahl and Debra and Allen Boyd, all of Tifton; two grandchildren and their spouses, Suzanne and Paul Bott and Joshua and Lacee Boyd; and four great-grandchildren, James Bott, Matthew Bott, Cullen Boyd and Elsie Boyd.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Tift Area, 618 Central Avenue North, Tifton, GA 31794; Meals on Wheels, P. O. Box 2053, Tifton, GA 31793; or the Memorial Fund of Tifton’s First Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 304, Tifton, GA 31793.