Jerry Harold Dowdy

Jerry was born July 21, 1938 in Jefferson, Georgia, to Harold and Christine Dowdy. He was the fourth of six children. At age 21 he married his first wife, Dottie Deadwyler Dowdy (deceased). Together they raised 3 children: Lynne Frachiseur (Steve), from Jefferson, GA, Cheri Fye (Ron), from Tallahassee, FL, Hal Dowdy (Erna) from Demorest, GA, Jerry’s family prospered to provide 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by his Sister: Joy Wood; Children: Lynne, Cheri and Hal; Grandchildren: Tara, Heather, and Ryan/ Erika and Carlee/ DJ, Carmin, Adam, Brett and Christine; Great-grandchildren: Kayla, Savannah and Brayden/ Victoria and Drew / Matthew, Kamden and Kash; Great-great grandchildren: Rosie, Robbie and Ryleigh

Former wife of 14 years: Cheryl Williams.
Jerry’s career was in life insurance. He earned his way to sales manager for Metropolitan Life in Gainesville, Georgia, often winning top sales awards. In earlier years, he loved traveling in his motorhome discovering new areas and meeting new people. A favorite vacation was taking the family - plus some - to Daytona Beach, FL. Just like his father, Jerry loved the beach.

Jerry lived most of his life in north Georgia where many friends and family still reside. 

He was a member and supporter of Bethany Methodist Church in Jefferson, GA;  helped start a Methodist church while living in Greenwood, SC; and then moved his family to Corinth Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA.

In 2018, he moved to Tallahassee, FL to be with his youngest daughter, Cheri, and husband Ron. He quickly made many new friends while living in a retirement community by sharing his love for vegetable gardening (collards of course!) and playing Rook. He was known for greeting residents as they filed in for dinner. Jerry always had a big smile, a quick joke and wanted to know, “Are you behavin’?”  
Jerry (Pop) we miss you and now release you into The Father’s Loving arms.  

A celebration of life service to honor his life and legacy will be held Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am at Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, GA. Interment will be at the Bethany Methodist Cemetery in Jefferson, GA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, Florida who provided Jerry excellent care since September 2023 at1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32308 bigbendhospice.org  1-800-772-5862 or the Bethany Cemetery Fund where many of his family members including Dottie (first wife) are buried, ? Chris Shirley, 1895 Brockton Loop, Jefferson, GA  30549

Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia.  706-367-5467      

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com