Doris Dowless

Doris Ophelia Batten Dowless, 90, of Whiteville passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Graham Ferrier Batten and Annie Mae Simmons Batten, husband, Rev. Richard Wesley “R.W.” Dowless, one son, Richard Wesley “Dickie” Dowless Jr., one daughter, Wanda Faye Dowless Batten, four brothers: John Allen Batten, Raymond Earl Batten, Jimmy Ray “Jack” Batten, and Billy Gene Batten, and one sister, Peggy Ann Batten Dorman. Doris leaves behind one son, Jerry Allen Dowless and wife Nancy of Macon, NC; son-in-law, Jerry Wayne Batten, daughter-in-law, Shelby Jean Dowless of Saluda, NC; one brother, Garland Frank Batten of Whiteville; eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Friday, February 21, 2020 at White Marsh Baptist Church at 341 Whitehall Rd in Whiteville, NC. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, February 22nd at 11:00 am at White Marsh Baptist Church with Rev. Ray Yaw and Rev. Bruce Cannon officiating. Burial will follow the services in the Community Baptist Church Cemetery in Bladenboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lower Cape Fear Hospice of 206 Warrior Trail, Whiteville, NC 28472 or White Marsh Baptist Church.