Warren Dowless

Warren Dowless, 92, of Bladenboro went home to be with his Lord Saturday, April 9, 2016. Mr. Dowless was born on March 23, 1924 to Nealey Dowless and Alda Davis Dowless. On January 3rd, 1943 he married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Evers. They were married for 73 years.
Mr. Dowless proudly and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II with the Navy Underwater Demolition expert or Frog Man. During the war, he saw action in the following theaters: European, North African, Middle East, Pacific and Asiatic. He participated in the Normandy landings in France. He was in Okinawa on V J Day and served occupation duty in China. Mr. Dowless was the last World War II veteran at Center Road Baptist Church. Mr. Dowless worked several years at the Newport News Shipyard in Virginia and eleven years with the U.S. Labor Dept. He worked 27 ½ years at Fort Bragg with the U.S. Army in the training and audio visual service center as a model maker. Retiring in 1987.
He was a member of Center Road Baptist Church for over 54 years. During those years, he served as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Director, Training Union Director and Teacher, and Deacon. He also served as Church Clerk for 36 years. The cross on top of Center Road Baptist Church was made by him. Warren has always been a humble servant of the Lord and always made sure his tithe was given even when he was no longer able to attend due to physical reasons.
Warren was a member of the Bladen Masonic Lodge #646 in Elizabethtown. He was an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason. Mr. Dowless was also a member of the Confederate Veterans Camp #794 in Whiteville and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, Post #8062 in Elizabethtown and Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.
He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Levie M., daughter, Gunda Sue and brother, Gurney. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Evers Dowless, daughters, Betty Horne of Stella, Wanda Carroll of Bladenboro, Teresa Freeman and husband Jimmy of Dublin, and son, Warren N. Dowless Jr. of Bladenboro. Sisters Gladys Pharr of Tar Heel, Sally O'Sullivan of Elizabethtown, brothers, Harold, Cletus, and Kenneth all of Bladenboro. Six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Mr. Dowless will always be remembered as a man with a great sense of humor and the love he had for his Lord, Country, Family, Church and friends.
Family will receive friends Monday, April 11, 2016 at Center Road Baptist Church in Bladenboro from 6-8 pm. Funeral will take place Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Center Road Baptist Church in Bladenboro at 2pm. Rev. Dewayne Lambeth and Rev. David Ruthland will be officiating. Burial will follow at New Pait Cemetery in Bladenboro.
Memorials can be made to Center Road Baptist Church or the charity of one's choice.