Carole Dowell

Mrs. Carole Fay Mitchell Dowell, 82, of Lowgap, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.  She was born March 1, 1938, to Glen Smith Mitchell, a dairy farmer, and Velma Cox Mitchell, an educator and school principal, in Hillsville, VA.  She was a graduate of Radford College and earned a master’s degree from UNCG.  Carole was a retired teacher in the Mount Airy City Schools and a member of First Baptist Church in Mount Airy.  Carole taught a total of 30 years, in Mount Airy City, Surry County, and Carroll County, VA.  She was involved in the North Carolina teacher organization and served as president.  She received the Teacher of the Year Award, Outstanding Young Educator, and various civic, community, and educational recognitions.  In 2006, she received Lifetime Certification in Mensa.  Carole loved all of her students and had a special way to get the best out of each one.  As they grew into adults, many came to tell her she was their favorite teacher ever!  Carole’s family was the joy of her life.  She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend.  Carole’s life purpose has been serving her Lord in every way, and her consistent influence has touched many.  Hundreds of people have come to know Christ through her teaching and her life’s example.  Her teaching ministry, in addition to being in many churches here, stretched all over the world, most notably in the many years of mission trips to Africa.  She used books she wrote to lead women’s Bible studies and distributed hundreds of Bibles in their native language.  She was the author of numerous books and devotionals, a sought-after inspirational speaker, and the recipient of awards and honors in many areas.  Carole’s deep love of all animals began early, and she never met a strange animal.  After retirement, she raised and bottle-fed calves, and had an assortment of animals on their farm.  She loved all of God’s creatures, and shed tears when they died.  She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Jimmy Dowell of the home; two sons, Jim Dowell, Jr. of Greensboro and Mitch Dowell (Sherri) of Lowgap; two grandsons, Mitchell Dowell and Alex Dowell; two brothers, Norris Mitchell (Wendy) of Great Falls, VA, and Larry Mitchell (Burline) of Hillsville, VA; a sister Linda Fiedler (Forest) of Meadows of Dan, VA; a number of special nephews; and her special friend, Linda Parks.  The family would like to express their appreciation to her doctors at Surry Rural Health Center, the staff at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, all those who loved her, a special thank you to the Reverend Jay Meadows for his continued support and kindness, and Sherri Dowell for her constant companionship and faithfulness.  A private memorial service will be held for her family.  No formal visitation will be held; however, family and friends may pay their respects on Monday, February 22, 2021, from 9:00 until 5:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church, Welcome House Missions, or Alzheimer’s Association/Foundation.  Food donations may be made to The Shepherd’s House in Mount Airy.