Patty Rue Matthews Dowell

Patty Rue Matthews Dowell, 75, passed away Monday June 21, 2021. She was born August 30, 1945 in Iredell County to the late Marvin Theodore Matthews and Lucy Mozelle Southard Matthews.  

Patty was a wonderful wife and life partner to her husband James, and she took care of the household. James says, “She did everything!”  Throughout her life, Patty was a strong woman of prayer and faith. She loved the Lord.

Southern gospel music was a passion of hers, and The Inspirations was one of her favorite groups.  Hearing James and her kids sing and make music at home and in church brought her great joy.

Neighbors and family shared many a cup of coffee at her kitchen table. She was known for her gracious and warm hospitality.  Her door was always open. Patty valued people.

A large part of Patty’s life centered around her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She didn’t just love her own kids, she loved everybody else’s kids too! Over the years, many of her children’s friends wanted to adopt James and Patty as their own special mom and pop. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Barbara Stinson, Nancy Day; brothers Junior Matthews, Addis Matthews, Midas Matthews. Surviving are her husband of 59 years James Franklin Dowell; children Alisa (Shannon) Dowell, Lynn (Keith) Stanley, Tracy (Sherri) DeWitt, James Dowell, Jr., Amy Dowell, Linda (Chad) Bryant; grandchildren Jessica Stanley, Kenny(Ana) Stanley, Ashley Combs, Sean Lucas, Skyler Lucas, Sydney Lucas, Timothy (Ashley) DeWitt, Michael DeWitt, Sara DeWitt, James Shore, Dominic Dowell, Zachariah Dowell, Shaun Durant, Zayden Dowell, Adam Ewer, Megan Ewer, Cody Ewer, Kaitlyn Ewer; great grandchildren Christian DeWitt, Sophia DeWitt, Silas DeWitt, Emmy Stanley, Allie Combs; brothers Paul (Francis) Matthews, Carl (Colleen) Matthews.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 PM Friday June 25, 2021 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. Her funeral will be conducted at 2:00 PM Friday June 25, 2021 at Gentry Family Chapel by Rev. Keith Stanley, Rev. Phillip Link, and Rev. Stephen Evans. Burial will follow at Gospel Way Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family would like to say very special thanks to the staff of Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation, ER Hugh Chatham Hospital, and SECU Hospice Home in Yadkinville for the loving care given to Mrs. Dowell.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org   

Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Dowell family.