Joyce Dowell

Donna Oletha Joyce Ewing Dowell went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 15, 2018 following a short illness, hospitalization and hospice care. She was born on April 1, 1935 to Harry Otis and Ida Mae Ewing. She resided most of her life in Chillicothe where people lovingly referred to her as “Precious” Joyce.

She married Richard Lawrence Dowell on January 3, 1954. He preceded her in death on March 20, 2016.

Together Joyce and Larry owned and operated Dowell Construction and Dowell Apartments until retirement. They attended the Chillicothe United Methodist Church.

They had four children — Diana Mapel (Dave), Richie Dowell (deceased), Danny Dowell (Tammy) and Denise Mason (Maria).

They were blessed with seven grandchildren Tyler Mapel (Kayla) of Augusta, GA; Christina Mapel (deceased); Kylie Dowell (fiancé John Bottala) of Pasadena, CA; Morgan Dowell of Chillicothe; Lauren Mason of Columbia; and Devin Dowell and Alayna Mason of Chillicothe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard; one son, Richard Nelson Dowell in 1967; a granddaughter, Christina Mapel in 2014; her three siblings, Eugene “Cotton” Ewing, Wanda McDaneld, and Mona Hinshaw Claussen.

Joyce loved attending the local sporting events. She especially enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participating in their Chillicothe Hornet sports and activities. She was a fan of the Chillicothe Hornets, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. She was especially fond of playing card games around her kitchen table with family and friends.

In her younger years she enjoyed traveling with her husband and family. She & Larry, along with several couple friends, actively enjoyed square dancing and motorcycle riding. She loved her daily trips to McDonalds to meet friends for coffee. Joyce loved to strike up a conversation with anyone she met.

She was a “dog lover” and often could be found babysitting her childrens’ dogs. She lived across the street from the Tina Mapel Memorial Dog Park, and loved watching the dog activity there from her front deck.

Funeral service will be held at the Chillicothe United Methodist Church, Chillicothe, MO on Monday, February 19th, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will precede the funeral at 10:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Heritage Funeral Home Chillicothe, MO on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Burial will be held at the Edgewood Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Tina Mapel Memorial Dog Park or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and can be left at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home, Chillicothe MO.