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Sandra Jackson Dowdell - Class of 1978

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 12/Apr/2024
97.124.252.171

    Sandra Renee Jackson Dowdell of Kinston, NC, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

"Let there be.." - Bereshit

With joyful anticipation, Earth cleared the way for a promising preemie, Sandra, whose name means "Defender of Humanity," to arrive at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh, NY on December 24th, 1959. Elated that Sandra was the final pregnancy and addition to four brilliant children, Annie Larious Bryant Jackson fostered Sandra's creativity, wit, intellect, and charm to be valuable for the service of the Lord and the human family at large. Noticing Sandra's distinct ability to leap far and wide, her father, Oliver Lee Jackson, nicknamed her "Kangaroo" or "Kang." Playful leaping, however, was not all Sandra enjoyed throughout her vibrant childhood.

"Saaaanggggg Gurl" - Every Black woman

Leaping in art and skill, Sandra sang in several choirs such as the radio choir, Williamaires, and Sunshine Band. Sandra enjoyed, and often reminisced about, her involvement in Soul Saving Staion's vibrant congregational singing, song-leading, fervent prayer, hand lifting, thunderous clapping, foot stomping, and free-flowing ecstatic experiences often found in Pentecostal Holiness Church traditions. Sandra's religious upbringing was a central aspect of her holistic development and worldview, which spilled over to her civic consciousness and involvement.

" Go as High as you can go." - Annie Jackson

Sandra's many God-given gifts were undeniable, as evidenced by her early grade school academic records. On her report card teachers noted that Sandra demonstrated high levels of extraversion (garrulous, talkative) during class. Can you believe that? Sandra exuded success through band involvement, jump rope, hopscotch, dancing, nocturnal linguistic vocalizations (unconscious sleep-talking as she recited numbers/alphabet), home design/decor, fashion consulting, modeling, gymnastics, and card-playing. While accompanied by roaring applauses that flooded the arena, Sandra walked across the stage when her name was called as a graduate from Newburgh Free Academy in 1978. Sandra then attended Harriman College in Harriman, NY, and eventually pursued her interest in cosmetology. Proving her undying commitment for life-long education, Sandra overcame countless life obstacles to earn her associate's degree from Lenoir Community College with a focus on nutrition and a degree in multidisciplinary studies. Receiving high academic praise for her ability to craft provocative short stories, and written and spoken poetry, Sandra mastered creative writing. Sandra's robust writing abilities kept readers on the edge of their seats. Sandra did admit, however, that despite her standout academic performance, her strongest academic work was done at the last minute (Yes, this is possible— just Google it!). Sandra demonstrated her passion for community empowerment by consistently defending the underdog, practicing patience with those who were deemed as "bad kids," lifting up the hung-down heads by working with nonprofits like Americorp; feeding the poor, visiting the sick and shut-in, offering her home as shelter to the homeless, being a platform to amplify the voices of the unheard, picking up those who were stranded and in need of transportation, and serving as a conduit of healing through comedy and hearty laughter.

"To be loved… To be Loved… Oh what a Feeling…" - Coming to America

Sandra did not only dream with her eyes closed. Dreaming with open eyes, a romantic Sandra was wooed into marriage by Dock Dowdell III in 1984. Dock and Sandra were two of a kind. Dock described Sandra as being so beautiful and naturally curvy that men would drive into light poles from staring so hard at her. Her husband crowned Sandra with the high praise of emanating such powerful, soulful, and enchanting singing vocalization. To their union were born three sons: Dock Dowdell IV (Vanessa), Laron Dowdell, and Joshua Dowdell. As Blackalachians, the Dowdell family enjoyed the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and the Coastal Plains of North Carolina. Sandra and her family formed trusting relationships with pastors (and their wives) of Radford COGIC in Radford Virginia, Bibleway COGIC in Kinston, NC, Wells Chapel COGIC in Greeneville, NC, City of Champions Worship Center in Goldsboro, NC, and Abraham's Covenant TOPIM in Cary, NC. Sandra's multifarious giftings led her to fulfill various ministerial needs (Choir directress, pastor's aid, First lady's asst., church soup kitchen staff member) — as she stated that she and her family received so much religious training experience that they could all thrive at liturgical, congregational, and parish ministry anywhere and at any time.

"Let's see some green stamps." - OJ

Her work history included Newburgh Headstart, Silcox Nursing Home, IBM (all in upstate NY), and Children's Village Academy in NC. Sandra was a caregiver and prophetic intercessor for many years and served as unto the Lord.

Sandra never met a stranger, partly because of her joyful and warm personality and also because she reminded everyone of the "girl from 'Amen'"(Thelma). Often seen wearing hater-blockers (large sunshades), Sandra cruised the streets with her "Bryant" smile, waving at familiar faces as they cheerfully reciprocated, "HEY SANDRA!" Sandra wanted everyone to experience belonging and went out of her way to remove all forms of inequality and harm of any kind. Sandra's pride was found in deeply listening to and caring for parental figures and her elders. Sandra's joy was found in creating vibrant spaces for her grandchildren (and other youth) to learn, play, and develop safely.

The blessed saint of cell phone ministry, Sandra, took the gospel to the hedges and phoneways through tireless missionary work, truth-telling, counseling, phone devotional/testimony services, songwriting sessions, and prayer ministry. To know her was to love her. Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Oliver and Annie Larious Jackson, as well as her husband, Dock Dowdell III, and her beloved aunts and uncles on both sides of her family (Bryant and Jackson). She leaves to cherish her memory: her three sons, Dock (Vanessa), Laron, and Joshua (bonus children, Sheilona and Dwayne), her grandchildren: Xavier, Michael, Kenneth, Brianna, Isaac, Anaiah, Yahaira, Joshua, and Alaia, her siblings: Oliver Jackson, Teritha Comithier, Andre (Deborah) Jackson, and Cherry Jackson, as well as her Aunts: Gennie L. Kirby and Esther R. Williams, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, family, and friends. Thanks to her sisters in love (Mary, Marvette, and Leighnette), her goddaughter, Anetta; daughter/nieces (Samone, Annie, Jenine, and Felicia), and her friend, Mr. T.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia.

The Dowdell family is in the care of the Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com