Louisa "Lou" Dowling Davis
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Louisa "Lou" Dowling Davis, 68, of Mills River, NC, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, January 9, 2022. She fought a courageous battle with cancer and dementia and held strong to her will to live out her final days with laughter and kindness to others.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 12th at Bent Creek Baptist Church, 1554 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 12th at 11:00 a.m. at The Baptist Church of Beaufort in Beaufort, SC.
Born on January 7, 1954, in Beaufort, SC to Joab M. Dowling, Sr. and Katharine Douglas Dowling, Lou was the fourth of five children. She was predeceased by her parents and two older brothers: Joab M. Dowling, Jr., and John Douglas Dowling, both of Beaufort, SC. Lou received her BA degree in English from the University of South Carolina where she later earned a master's degree in Education. She worked for years as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in the Western North Carolina area and later held several positions with commercial firms in Asheville.
Surviving are Lou's fraternal, younger twin sister, May D. Peach of Hendersonville, NC; older sister, retired judge Jane Dowling Fender of Beaufort, SC; niece, Susie D. Herlong (Donny) of Sumter, SC; nephews Sherwood N. Fender, Jr. of Swannanoa, NC; Joab M. Dowling, Ill (Jennifer) of Beaufort, SC; James A. Dowling (Cayce) of Due West, SC; Addison D. Fender (Tracy) of Beaufort, SC; Douglas D. Peach (Tania) of Washington, DC; and Daniel D. Peach of Decatur, GA.
Those who knew Lou can attest to her quick wit, gregarious nature, unending generosity and, at times, her unpredictable nature. She could be articulate and determined one moment and silly and naive the next. She could exert laser-focused energy when she set her mind to something. She could also change her mind quickly, and she did frequently. Her personality kept all around her on their toes.
She loved her family and friends dearly. Lou quoted Scripture with ease and read her Bible daily. At times, she could also express herself without much forethought, such as the time she asked her Sunday School teacher which came first, the Old Testament or the New Testament.
One of Lou's most memorable traits was that of being a storyteller. At family reunions, when meeting someone new, or when she had a captive audience, she could regale her listeners with stories of family adventures, good times and bad times, and almost unbelievable circumstances during her life. At this very moment, she is most assuredly telling her new friends in Heaven stories the likes of which they never heard on earth.
Lou was one of a kind. God will surely have his hands full with Lou. She will keep Him and all his angels busy for a very long time.
In lieu of flowers and in Lou's memory, donations may be made to the church or charity of your choice.
Arrangements under the care of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Hendersonville, NC.