Nolan Dowdy

Nolan Dowdy, age 77, of Athens, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at Arkansas Inpatient Hospice in Hot Springs. He was born on February 13, 1938, in Joplin, Arkansas, the son of Earl Dowdy and Wenonah Smiley Dowdy. He was a preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Charles Dowdy. Nolan was a member of the Athens Missionary Baptist Church. He served four years in the United States Navy, 1955 through 1959, as an Aviation Machinist's Mate, Petty Officer Third Class. He and Lillie Faye Pitman were joined in marriage on August 25, 1965. He was a retired logger, appropriately known as Hickory Nut "Hickernut" and loved being in the woods. He was an avid farmer and gardener as well, spending most of the spring and summer seasons on his old Cub tractor. He always sent visitors home with fruits and vegetables from his garden. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Faye Pittman Dowdy of Athens; four daughters, Ann Cannon of Cherry Hill, Arkansas, Wenonah Gildon and her husband, John, of Taylor, Arkansas, Lynette Dowdy of Little Rock and Gina Dowdy of Haughton, Louisiana; two sisters, Wanda Earlene Bynum of Canton, Texas and Rita Karnes and her husband, Doug, of Knoxville, Tennessee; six grandchildren, Krystall Modisette, Marilyn Cannon, Becky Cannon, Kyle Murphy, Kayla Dowdy and Devon Rogers; three step-grandchildren, Erica Quintana, Holly Gildon and Casey Gildon; seven great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Services will be 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 14, 2015, in the Athens Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Scott Kitchens officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Athens Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Pallbearers will be Don Dowdy, Doug Karnes, Ovay McGee, James Pitman, Pablo Frias, Carl Pitman, Scott Webb and Nathan Karnes. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.