Ida Mildred “Chick” Johnson Dowdell, 91, of Tacoma, Wash., formerly of Bardstown, died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2014, at her home. She was born in Canns and raised in Bardstown. She was the ninth of 13 children born to the late Susie Kate Hurt and Benjamin Harrison Johnson. She attended Bardstown High School.
In 1957, her husband was stationed at Fort Lewis where the family lived for six years before moving to the nearby city of Tacoma in 1963. She loved to attend church and was a member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and St. John’s Baptist Church in Tacoma. She touched the lives of many people with her big smile and generosity, and maintained her trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. She was the matriarch of five living generations. Her home was always occupied with family and often scented by traditional soul food dishes, including her signature Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Like her recipes, her memory will surely continue to comfort us daily and sweeten every holiday for generations to come.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Turner; her second husband, Frank Dowdell; one son, late Lee Thomas Mayes; and her siblings Mamie Hayes, Anna Margaret Bivens, Mary Erma Johnson, Ruth Joy Woodson, Anna Elizabeth Mason,
William Edward Johnson (Will Ed), Rainey Johnson, Lee Thomas Johnson (Turk),
Benjamin Harrison Johnson, Aaron Johnson and Marian Johnson.
She is survived by her daughter Margaret Jennings; one sister Beatrice Rogers; eight grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
The family requests all donations are sent to Margaret Jennings. Proceeds will help fund transportation costs to Bardstown for a second funeral service.
The funeral is 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at St. John AME Zion, 219 East Brashear Ave., with burial in the Bardstown Cemetery. Pastor Samuel L. Harris will officiate.
Visitation is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at the church.
The Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
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