In Memory Of
Betty Dowell
1934
2024
Betty Dowell
August 23, 1934 — January 13, 2024
Betty Anne (Harding) Dowell passed away on January 13, 2024 at the age of 89.
She was born in 1934 in Livermore, Kentucky to Irene and Jimmy Harding. At the age of 3, the family moved to Franklin, Kentucky. Jimmy worked in Alaska for a few years and eventually he and Irene started Harding's Grocery on Franklin Square. Betty attended Franklin Simpson High School and was Co-Salutatorian of her 1952 graduating class. She met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Dowell, also of Franklin, and after graduation, they were married on the CBS television show "Bride and Groom" in New York City. Their first child, David, was born in Germany during Bob's military service. After moving to Louisville, they had two more children, Diana and Alice.
Bob and Betty were known for being proprietors of the Hungry Farmer and Yancey's Restaurants in Clarksville, Tennessee and Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Many successful years and many lifelong friends later, they returned to their Franklin roots and retired at the old Harding log house that her daddy built in 1973. Her husband Bob passed away in May of 2012, after 60 years of marriage, a void that Betty could never fill. We are thrilled that Betty and Bob are finally reunited in heaven, the eternal home they both longed for. She was a lifelong member of the church of Christ.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Dowell, her parents, Jimmy and Irene Harding, one brother, James (Kaye) Harding, and a long line of both Dowell/Harding family members.
Betty is survived by her three children: son, David (Melanie) Dowell, daughter, Diana (Barry) Bonifield and daughter, Alice (Chuck) Phillips.
She was lovingly called "Gma" by her nine grandchildren. David's children: Harding (Wells) Dowell, Caroline (Michael) Thompson, and Elizabeth (Mike) Asay. Diana & Barry's children: Jason (Abbie) Paulley, Josh (Bertina) Paulley, Josh Bonifield and Bethany Bonifield. Alice's children: Bobby (Brittni) Wilkinson and Mackenzie (Brian) Inch.
Her greatest joys were her fourteen great grandchildren whom she prayed for every day.
The family would like to thank the staff at Arcadia Blankenbaker for their unwavering love, service and kindness as she passed into the arms of Jesus.
There will be a private memorial service for immediate family at a later date. Any gifts of condolence can be made in her name to Franklin Church of Christ 700 Main St., Franklin, Kentucky 42134.
Betty would want you all to know how blessed she felt to have been a part of your lives. Please remember her with fondness and our family with love as we walk this path.
To share a memory of Betty or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
She was born in 1934 in Livermore, Kentucky to Irene and Jimmy Harding. At the age of 3, the family moved to Franklin, Kentucky. Jimmy worked in Alaska for a few years and eventually he and Irene started Harding's Grocery on Franklin Square. Betty attended Franklin Simpson High School and was Co-Salutatorian of her 1952 graduating class. She met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Dowell, also of Franklin, and after graduation, they were married on the CBS television show "Bride and Groom" in New York City. Their first child, David, was born in Germany during Bob's military service. After moving to Louisville, they had two more children, Diana and Alice.
Bob and Betty were known for being proprietors of the Hungry Farmer and Yancey's Restaurants in Clarksville, Tennessee and Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Many successful years and many lifelong friends later, they returned to their Franklin roots and retired at the old Harding log house that her daddy built in 1973. Her husband Bob passed away in May of 2012, after 60 years of marriage, a void that Betty could never fill. We are thrilled that Betty and Bob are finally reunited in heaven, the eternal home they both longed for. She was a lifelong member of the church of Christ.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Dowell, her parents, Jimmy and Irene Harding, one brother, James (Kaye) Harding, and a long line of both Dowell/Harding family members.
Betty is survived by her three children: son, David (Melanie) Dowell, daughter, Diana (Barry) Bonifield and daughter, Alice (Chuck) Phillips.
She was lovingly called "Gma" by her nine grandchildren. David's children: Harding (Wells) Dowell, Caroline (Michael) Thompson, and Elizabeth (Mike) Asay. Diana & Barry's children: Jason (Abbie) Paulley, Josh (Bertina) Paulley, Josh Bonifield and Bethany Bonifield. Alice's children: Bobby (Brittni) Wilkinson and Mackenzie (Brian) Inch.
Her greatest joys were her fourteen great grandchildren whom she prayed for every day.
The family would like to thank the staff at Arcadia Blankenbaker for their unwavering love, service and kindness as she passed into the arms of Jesus.
There will be a private memorial service for immediate family at a later date. Any gifts of condolence can be made in her name to Franklin Church of Christ 700 Main St., Franklin, Kentucky 42134.
Betty would want you all to know how blessed she felt to have been a part of your lives. Please remember her with fondness and our family with love as we walk this path.
To share a memory of Betty or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Dowell, please visit our flower store.
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