JoEddie Fair Dowers

JoEddie Fair Dowers, 85, of Statesville, a respected educator and beloved member of her community, passed away on June 7, 2026, at Brookdale Peachtree following a period of declining health. Born on August 16, 1940, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, she led a life marked by dedication to family, faith, and education.

JoEddie began her distinguished career teaching English, where her passion for language and learning inspired countless students. She furthered her education by earning a Master’s degree in Education from McNeese State University, reflecting her lifelong commitment to academic excellence. Throughout her professional journey, she proudly held numerous leadership roles within various educational organizations, showcasing her capability and devotion to advancing the field. Notably, she served as Dean at McNeese State University until her retirement, leaving a lasting impact on the institution and the many lives she touched.

A graduate of Westlake High School in Louisiana, JoEddie was a woman of strong faith and deep conviction, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Gowensville. Outside of her professional pursuits, she found joy in flower gardening, expressing her nurturing spirit through the beauty she cultivated in her garden.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 41 years, Jerald W. Dowers, and her family whom she cherished. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Alton Fair, and her mother, Edna Salmon Fair.

A graveside service to honor JoEddie’s life will be held on June 11, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the National Cemetery At Salisbury, located at 501 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144.

JoEddie Fair Dowers will be remembered as a devoted wife who loved her husband, and her family, and friends, as well as a dedicated educator whose legacy will endure through the many lives she enriched.

Nicholson Funeral Home is honored to serve the Dowers family.