Rita Dowdy (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Rita Ann Dowdy, daughter of Thomas Clark and Bonnie Ruth Weatherly Cooper, was born June 12, 1959, in Springfield, Missouri. She departed this life Thursday, August 2, 2012, in Select Specialty Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of fifty-three years, one month, and twenty days.
In April of 1985, she was united in marriage to Jerry Allen Dowdy, and they shared twenty-seven years.
Her father preceded her in death in 2005.
Rita is survived by her husband, Jerry, of the home; her mother, Bonnie Cooper, of Springfield, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was raised in the Lebanon, Missouri area, and attended Lebanon R-III Schools. The family then moved to Kansas City and Emporia, Kansas, following Mr. Cooper’s work. Following her graduation from high school, she attended college for a few years. After she and Jerry were married, they first made their home in Kansas City, before moving to Louisiana and Kentucky. Eventually, they returned to Missouri and made their home in Springfield. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her husband, Rita also worked for the Social Security Administration for a time. She had worked as an actress and had appeared in two movies. She had operated a beading business and had work in management in the entertainment industry.
Rita had made her profession of faith in Christ and was a devoted prayer warrior.
She was very intelligent and was an avid reader. She was a kind person who never found fault in anyone, and always thought well of others. She was very fond of animals and especially loved cats. She was loved dearly by her parents, and she loved them more than anything, always putting them first. Her relationship with Jerry was extremely special and she loved him dearly.
Rita was a loving wife, and daughter, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.
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