Byron M. Dowdy

Byron M. Dowdy, son of Aaron Wiley Dowdy, Jr and Francis Weathers, born Dec 1881, died 18 June 1952, Appling CO, GA near Baxley, married 11 Nov 1900, GA, Gussie Moody, dau of Isaac I. Moody and Martha Elmira Miles, born 10 Sept 1883 Appling CO, GA, died 26 Sept 1950. Both buried Wesley Chapel Church Cemetery, Bacon CO, GA.

The family came to Bunnell in 1911 where Byron Dowdy was associated with Ike Moody in a farming operation. Numerous accounts of his farming were found in the Bunnell Home Builder until 1917 when it is presumed the family returned to Georgia, as they were not enumerated in the 1920 census here. Mrs Dowdy was a sister to Ike, George and Robert Moody Sr. They were the parents of four children;

1. Terrell Joe (TJ) Dowdy, born 04 Jul 1903, Baxley, Appling CO, GA, died 29 Aug 1992, Alachua General Hospital, Gainesville, Alachua CO, FL, married 14 May 1929, Duval CO, FL, Azilene Eugenia Holland, dau of John Willie Holland and Sallie Garnto, born 25 Oct 1907 Brewton, Laurens CO, GA, died 18 Dec 1998, FL. Both buried High Springs Cemetery, High Springs, Alachua CO, FL.

He was a retired foreman and yard inspector of Atlanta Coastline Railroad. He served one term on the High Springs City Commission. Issue

(1) Dr. Joe Holland Dowdy, MD, born 29 Mar 1930, Alachua CO, FLdied Feb 2015, buried High Springs Cemetery, Alachua CO, FL, married 26 Oct 1952, Billye Arledge, born 05 Aug 1933.

After graduation from high school, he attended the University of Florida, and graduated in engineering with High Honors, which resulted in becoming a research engineer with Westinghouse.

At the outbreak of the Korean War in 1951, his commitment with UF's ROTC drew him into the Air Force. After basic training, he went to San Angelo, TX, for flight training. There he met his bride-to-be, Billye Arledge, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W.I. Arledge. While on leave, an earlier interest in dentistry grew while enjoying visiting Billye's dad's dental office. 

During his military career, he was selected for a special military mission. He became a test pilot in the early days of the space program. After six years of active duty, he decided not to re-enlist, but instead in 1957 he enrolled in Baylor Dental College, Dallas, TX. 

He worked his way through Dental College by flying with the TX Air National Guard, and received many awards, graduating at the top of his class. Then came the opportunity to return to his home town and open his dental practice where he served his community for 45 years.

He served his church family at First Baptist as a Deacon and Treasurer for over 50 years. He also served as Director of the Youth Department for 20 years. Issue;

A. Kay Ann Dowdy, born 26 Oct 1962, Alachua CO, FL, married Richard Westmark

B. David W Dowdy, born 05 Aug 1964, Alachua CO, FL

(2) Leona "Moe" Dowdy, born 25 Jul 1932, Alachua CO, FL, married 29 Jan 1956, Alachua CO, FL, Gary Cleveland Hinesbaugh, born 17 Jan 1933. Issue;

A. Cynthia Ann Hinesbaugh, born 07 Jul 1961

2. Ethel Dowdy, born 8 July 1905, Appling CO, GA, died 11 Jun 1995, Alachua CO FL, married 22 Dee 1922, Bacon CO, GA, James Paul Smith, born 14 Sept 1894, Baxley, Appling CO, GA, died 02 Jun 1970 Alachua CO, FL, buried High Springs Cemetery, Alachua CO, FL. He served as a private in the U.S. Army in World War I. Issue;

(1) Paula Jamesine Smith, born 25 Mar 1925, married 12 Feb 1944, Alachua CO, FL, James Jackson Reeve, born 01 Feb 1922, Wembo-Nyama, Belgium Congo, Agrica to Rev and Mrs Thomes E Reeve, Jr., died 19 Dec 2009, Cumming, Forsyth CO, GA.

After graduating from Calhoun High School in 1939, James attended Emory at Oxford and later matriculated to Emory University where he graduated in 1943.

He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy until 1946, where he was honorable discharged as an AETM, 2nd Class. James later returned to Emory University's Dental School and graduated in 1958. He practiced orthodontics in Atlanta, and later in Cumming, until his retirement in 1990.

During his career Dr. Reeve developed and patented the Anterior Root Torquing Auxiliary and the Action Archwire both currently used in orthodontics today. He was honored by the Georgia Dental Association for his lifetime achievements.

Jackson was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Cumming and served as a deacon as well as several other committees. Issue;

A. Bonnie Dee Reeve, born 10 Dec 1944, married Dan Dudley

B. James Jackson Reeves Jr, born 23 Aug 1947, married Pat LNU

C. John Paul Reeve, born 02 Apr 1949, married Kelly LNU

(2) Jack Gilmer Smith, born 19 Mar 1927, FL, died 27 Dec 1977, Alachua CO, FL, married 28 Nov 1950, Alachua CO, FL, Floy Ann LNU, born 09 Jul 1930. He served in the U S Army Air Corps in WW II. Issue;

A. Richard Lewis Smith, born 31 Dec 1951

B. Peggy Ann Smith, born 25 Mar 1953

C. Carol Jan Smith, born 16 Nov 1957

3. Sue Nell Dowdy, born 08 Sep 1907, Appling CO, GA, died 12 Jan 1989, Appling CO, GA, married David Scholey Howell, born 21 Nov 1900, GA, died 16 Jan 1986, Waycross, Ware CO, GA. Issue;

(1) David Scholey Howell Jr, born 31 Jul 1925, Waycross, Ware CO, GA, died 23 Feb 2005, Memorial Medical Center, Savannah, Chatham CO, GA, buried Oaklawn Cemetery, Waycross, Ware CO, GA, married 08 Mar 1947, Margaret James, born 21 Jul 1930. He served in the US Navy in WW II. Issue;

A. Barbara Howell, born 21 Jan 1948, Waycross, Ware CO, GA, died 09 Jun 2001, Kansas City, Jackson CO, MO, buried Oakland Cemetery, Waycross, Waer CO, GA, married James Edwards

a. Sherrie Edwards

b. Olivia Edwards

c. Chad Edwards

B. Cecelia Howell, maried Ronnie Campbell

C. Ann Howell

D. James David "Jimmy" Howell

(2) Hilda Aileen Howell, born Jan 1927, GA, married FNU Hickox

4. Isaac Rudolph (Ikie) Dowdy, born 1915, Bunnell, St Johns now Flagler CO, FL, died 03 Aug 1967, Beaumont, Jefferson CO, TX, buried Wesley Chapel Cemetery,Alma, Bacon CO, GA, married 23 Nov 1934, Appling CO, GA, Jessie Lee Perry, daughter of J Faulton Perry and Nora Maddox, born 12 Sep 1914, Appling CO, GA, died 03 Nov 1992, Waycross, Ware CO, GA, buried Rose Hill Cemetery, Alma, Bacon CO, GA.

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cited as her sources, Census and Published Articles.

Additional sources used by the compiler were: 1910 United States Federal Census, Militia District 1563, Appling, Georgia; 1920 & 1930 United States Federal Census Record, Deen, Appling, Georgia; 1930 United States Federal Census Record, Waycross, Ware, Georgia; 1930 United States Federal Census, High Springs, Alachua, Florida; World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006; Social Security Death Index Record; Georgia Deaths, 1919-98 Record; Florida Marriage Collection, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001; Family records of John Willie Holland posted on ancestry.com; Public Records Index; and Find-a-Grave.com

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com

Last Update: 12 May 2015