Ethel Carney Dowe

Joy Ann Thornton Dowe - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P Sevier, August 5, 2026

USGenWeb NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations.
In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit.Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites.

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

April 9, 1933 ~ July 29, 2026 93 Years Old
From Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home Tallulah, LA August 2029

Joy Ann Thornton Dowe was born on April 9, 1933, in Waverly, Louisiana, to E.J. and Willie Mae Corley Thornton. She graduated from Tallulah High School in 1951. On Wednesday, July 29, 2026 she passed away surrounded by family at her home in Cayuga, MS. She was 93.

"Miss Jo," as she was affectionately called by all who knew and loved her, married Jack Ellis Dowe in 1953, and they made an extraordinary team for the next 62 years. Aligned in their values and interests, they worked diligently to achieve the American Dream: independence. Together they opened Jack Dowe Supermarket on Highway 27 in 1968 and conducted a successful enterprise until their retirement in 1996. Joy Ann was a remarkably talented business woman and was a kind and generous supporter of the community. A virtuous lady, she was also a powerful force in shaping her family and instilling in her children and grandchildren those ideals she considered indispensable: love, courage, critical thinking, respect, and honor. Despite the frenzy of operating a business and rearing a family, Joy Ann always made time to welcome visitors into her home, and she was a gracious hostess.
In their later years Joy Ann and Jack reveled in the tranquility of their home in Cayuga where they played with grandchildren and enjoyed nature and wildlife. Theirs was a story of harmony and dignity and unity, and Joy Ann, true to her name, radiated joy in all the aspects of her days and ways. She will be sorely missed.

Joy Ann was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents E.J. and Willie Mae Thornton, and her brothers Doe Thornton, Buddy Thornton, and Rex Thornton.

Joy Ann is survived by her children, Cheryl Dowe Carpenter, Jack Dowe, Jr., and Amy Dowe Prine, and her grandchildren Jules Carpenter (Katie), Emily Thompson (Brent), Robert Carpenter, Jr. (Stevie), Jack Dowe III, David Prine, Will Dowe, and Thomas Dowe, and great-grandchildren Sofia and Eleanor Carpenter and Ada and Edwin Carpenter.

Pallbearers will be Earl May, Jules Carpenter, Jack Dowe III, David Prine, Will Dowe, and Thomas Dowe.

Services will be held at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg at 11:00 AM with Pastor Marvin Curtis officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will follow at Cayuga Cemetery on Old Port Gibson Road in SW Hinds County.