Edith Dowden

Mrs. Edith Dowden Funeral services for Mrs. Edith Pugh Dowden will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Beulah Baptist Church, Many, La. with Reverend Kenneth Leach officiating. Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm Tuesday at Blanchard-St Denis and from noon to service time at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Many, Louisiana. Edith was born November 8, 1917 in Shreveport, La. Mrs. Dowden received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern State University and her masters degree in history from Stephen F. Austin State University. She taught in Natchitoches Parish public schools for 35 years. She taught 5th and 6th grades at Flora and taught history at Natchitoches Central High School. She was the Booster Club Sponsor while at NCHS. After retiring from her teaching career she worked closely with her son at Bo’s Marine in Natchitoches. She was a long time member of 1st Baptist Church of Natchitoches. Mrs Edith was very rooted in her belief of a close knit family, her grandchildren fondly refer to her as Mama Dowden. She is survived by her Son, Villis P. "Bo" Dowden and his wife Gladys; 4 Grandchildren, Villis P. Dowden, Jr., Eason Page Dowden, Meredith Rose Redard and Blonnie Elizabeth Brooks; and a great-grandchild Sheridon Katherine Brooks. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Sheldon Dowden; Parents, Villis S. Pugh and Blonnie Page Pugh; a son Sheldon Page Dowden and a grandson Sheldon Page Dowden, Jr. Pallbearers will be Villis Dowden Jr., Eason Dowden, Ken Brooks, Andy Redard, Robert Lang, Mike Fish.