Eddie Dowd

Mr. William Edward “Eddie” Dowd, age 87, of Vidalia, died peacefully on Monday, September 16, 2024, at his son’s home, following an extended illness.  He was born at home on April 9, 193, in Cedar Crossing, his mother died a short time later, so the late Herman Clark and Annie Clark raised him.  He grew up in Palmetto, Florida, and was a 1955 graduate of Manatee County High School where in twelve years, he only missed one day of school.  Eddie met his true love, “Barb” at the skating rink and married her a short time later in Griffin on their way to visit family in Atlanta.  Shortly after, he took a job with Georgia Natural Gas in Atlanta, but in 1965 transferred home to Vidalia. He worked with them for about twenty years until he started Dowd’s Heating & Cooling, working until the age of 80.  He loved sports of all kinds and played American Legion Baseball.  He enjoyed watching Vidalia Indians, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Atlanta Falcons, and Toombs County Bulldogs once his grandsons started playing there.  Eddie was a faithful Christian and member of Cedar Crossing Baptist Church.  He loved people and was known for his acts of kindness.  His family was always his most precious treasure.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara LaMaye Dowd; parents, Lee Anthony Dowd and Flora Boyd Dowd; six siblings, Tommie Lee Dowd Walker, James Tillman “Jake” Dowd, Wilmer Lee Dowd, Geraldine “Polly” Dowd Herndon, JoAnn Dowd Caraway and Ruby Dowd Mobley.

His family includes four sons, Michael Dowd and wife Shirley of Lyons, Jim Dowd and Marlene Evans of Vidalia, Jeff Dowd and wife Shelia of Birmingham, Alabama, and Mark Dowd and wife Sonja of Johnson Corner; one sister, Carolyn Mobley of Rex; one brother, Buddy Dowd and wife Francis of Riverdale; eight grandchildren, Amanda Dowd, Jamie Dowd, Amanda Mercer, Olivia LeComte, Adams Dowd, Taylor Dowd, Cody Dowd, and Cole Dowd; thirteen great-grandchildren; Chase Dowd, Katie Hutcheson, Jordan Hutcheson, Connor and Colin Mercer, Rachel Dowd, Moxie Dowd, Violet LeComte, Markie Ann Dowd, Jovie Dowd, Alice LeComte, Jaxson Hutcheson, and Beckett Hutcheson; ­­­and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Cedar Crossing Baptist Church on Thursday evening, September 19th, from 6:00 until 8:00.

The funeral service will be Friday morning, September 20th, at 11:00 at Cedar Crossing Baptist Church with Pastor Reece Mincey officiating.  Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial donations may be made to the Community Hospice Foundation, PO Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475 or Cedar Crossing Baptist Church, PO Box 157 Uvalda, GA 30473.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eddie Dowd, please visit our floral store.