Lessie M. Dower

The heavenly father saw the need for a special spirit to grace the Earth. He sent forth the blessing of Lessie M. Dower to the late, Ocie Murphy, Sr., and the late, Maydelle Hill on May 5, 1935, in Coosa County, Alabama.

Lessie was educated in the Alabama School System where she completed the 11th grade. Before attending school, she worked in the cotton field and on her father’s farm.

Lessie found the love of her life, King Dower, Jr., practically in her backyard. They noticed each other and the courtship began. Lessie married King Dower, Jr. on March 14,1956 and from this union came six boys and two girls. Lessie and King Dower, moved to Baltimore, Maryland after the birth of their oldest daughter.

In Baltimore, Lessie worked various jobs to help make ends meet. She worked at City Hospital, The Maryland Chicken Plant, and University Hospital. Lessie also studied briefly to become a nurse with The Red Cross.

Lessie was a bright funny woman who had a way of brightening up you day. She could look at you and surely something funny would come out of her mouth. People enjoyed being around her because she was full of wisdom, funny, direct, honest, and to the point. Lessie loved her family and always enjoyed being around people.

Lessie accepted Christ at an early age as her personal Lord and Savior. She prayed that all her family and friends would do the same.

Lessie departed this life on November 1, 2021, and was preceded in death by her husband, King Dower, Jr., (2) sons, Dennis, and Melvin Dower, (1) grandson, Kenny Dower, and (1) daughter in-law, Marilyn Dower (2) sisters, Bessie Love Elder and Emma Goodson.

She leaves to cherish her memory (4) sons, Warren Dower, Payton Dower, Bobby Dower, and Keith Dower, (2) daughters, Veronica Dower-Smith, and Shilonda Savage, (2) Sons-In-Law, Larry Smith, Jr., and Oakley Savage, III and (1) sister, Pearlie Brisker. The grandchildren: Larry 3rd , Aiyanna, Candis, Makeba, Kyle, Kelly, Kirk, Dawnbria, Tameka, Alysha, DeAndre, DeArius, Brianna, Oakley, IV and Isaiah. (1) Great Grandchild, Bella. She also leaves (1) daughter in-law, Glenda Dower, and (2) perspective daughters in-law, Christine Frank and Shawan Roberts and perspective grandson-in-law, Kurtis Monson and a host of other family and friends