The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-08-17
LIFE ENDS FOR MRS. DOWDELL Most Prominent of Ala
 bama Women. SUDDEN ILLNESS IS FATAL Was Noted Among Alabama
 Daughters of Confederaey. Also Served as Secretary of Nationa nnixation-Organized Method
 ists womans' Missionary so-
 city in Alabams.
SUDDEN ILLNESS IS FATAL

E. C., Dowdell. one of the most prominent women of Alabama. died at her home here this morning at about c o'clock. after an illness of few days.
 Stricken suddenly i'll during visit to relatives in Lafayette, she sank rap- idly. her advanced age precluding the possibility of recovery. Mrs. Dowdsil, had she lived. would have been s0 years old in December.
 Mrs. Elizabeth Dowdell was Secre- tary of the United Daughters of the Confectionery of the United States, and noted In Alabama, besides, as President of the Woman's Missionary Society of the Methodist Church in Alabama. Shs organized, personally, the society some years ago. and had been President since. She was the first woman to pre- side over a deliberative body or women in the State.
 D. A. R. circles of Alabama, her fam fly being noted as one of the most dis- tinguished and oldest of the State.
 Mrs. Dowdeli had lived at Auburn for years, and was beloved and revered here. 4A
 The funeral will be held at Auburn tomorrow afternoon. It is probable that the little town win suspend. in business and otherwise, in honor of the beloved woman.
 Sketch of Mrs. DowdeiI
 Mrs. Elizabeth Caroline Dowdell was born at LaGrange, Georgia Dec 3, 1929 When a child she moved with her par- ents, Mir. and Mrs. w. c. Thomas. to Chambers County Alabama. She was married in June. 1sA7 to Col. William Crawford Dowdell and to this union tuaa anti aN there are seven surviving. Mrs. L. D. Msrrick. Merrick Louisiana: James s. Dowdell Montgomery; SiIas c. Dow dell, Letsworth. Louisiana; Andfew l.. Dowdef1, OpelikR; Mrs. K D. Lips- comb and Mrs. B. B. Ross. Auburn and Mrs. c. H. Davis. Manatee. Florida.
 survive large family of Rfandchtld- ren and kreat-grana -ahtldFen, md a wide circle of relatives disttibuted over Alabama and other Southern States. Col W. C. Dowdeil the husband Of Mrs. Dowdeil was one of the foremost and best beloved men In East Ala bama. He died a few years ago. He was a brother of Col James Dowdeli and an unole of Hon. William J. Sanford, former Governor of Alabama and of Judge James R. Dowdell, the present chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
 Mrs. DowdeIi during ante belium days and since was associated with many of the greatest men and women of the South. both of church and State, and by her superior qualities of mind and heart established herself as one of the greatest women in the South She was the first woman in the nation who suggested the organization of The Missionary Society in connection with the church, and by her efforts put In operation this great work which has grown to be such g wonderful factor in the religious movement of the age.
 She wrote Bishop James o. Andrew in 1861 making the suggestion tut failed to sign hor name, probably be- cause the suggestion was such an innovation in religious matters; but the Idea so impressed the senior bis- hop of the Methodist church that he advertised to know the author of the letter. This resulted in corresp0n- dence which ultimatily eventuated in the organization of tho Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, with which organization Mrs Dowdell had since been In close and active connection az one of the Board of Managers She organized the Society in this State and from It's organization to the time of her death-thrity- years--she was its honored president
 Mrs Dowdell was a ready and slo- quent speaker. She made no preten- sion as a platform speaker. never forgetting the modssty that Is the crowning virtue of womanhood: but her duties frequently brought her be- fore great congregations. and religious bodies. and she was direct earnest and eloquent in presenting any cause and more especially the one great great cause that was her life work and closest to her heart.
 Mrs. Dowdell was a frequent contri- butor with her pen to the religious journals and periodicals of the county. and was a fluent and forceful writer Mrs. Dowdell was most beloved in her home. and possessed rare conversations al powers. Far and near her home was renowned for Its hospitality and culture. For nearly half a century the Dowdell home fin Auburn has enter women of the South. Her life dur ing all these years had been a bene- diction to all who came within range of her influence, and especially in the community of Auburn. where she was greatly loved by every one of all classes without regard to race or con- ditIon.
 Mrs. Dowden was the granI-mother of the family of Mrs- Lavfnia Dowdell and of Mrs. Judge Armstead Brown. and the aunt of Judge William IT. Thonaa of MontROmerY