Wife of William Crawford Dowdell

May 11, 1921 issue of "The LaFayette Sun":

"Tribute To My Mother"

The following appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser of May 9 and will be of interest to many of our readers.
When near 80 years of age, on August 16th, 1909, my mother, Elizabeth Dowdell, passed from earth to heaven.
As a slight expression of my great love for one of the best mothers a son was ever blessed with, I am glad of the opportunity of telling this class a few of her characteristics.
Her life spanned the most eventful period of American history and certainly the most important era of Southern Methodism.
Before the Civil War she conceived the idea of missions. She had a world vision and a constructive mind, projected great enterprises and if not in a position to execute them herself, suggested them to those who were. She built on her plantation a house, where, every Sunday, she gathered together her slaves and their children and expounded to them the scriptures. The lesson over with them, she would gather her own children and take them off to "Oak Bowery" to Sunday school.
She conceived the idea, planned the work and helped to launch and carry forward the missionary movement for women. In 1861 from her plantation home in Chambers County, after much prayer, she wrote Bishop James O. Andrew, calling his attention to the incalculable service rendered and to the splendid work accomplished for the Confederate soldiers through the organized efforts of women in every town and city in the Southland, and suggested to him that if such results could be obtained by our women for their country, surely they would be a mighty power, if organized to work for the cause of Christ. The idea so impressed the bishop that he immediately advertised for the author of the letter (my mother having failed to sign her name, no doubt thinking the suggestion an innovation in religious matters.) Her letter, which was highly commended, was published far and wide, and some years later, in 1878, the Woman's Missionary Society of Southern Methodism was inaugurated. From the beginning of this movement until the end of her life, a period of thirty-one years, she served not only as a member of the general board of missions, but as president of the Alabama society. Being filled with the spirit of the Master she did a wonderful work for Him, clearing the vision of hundreds of groping followers, leading many to Christ and at the same time presiding with dignity over a refined home that radiated not only good cheer and hospitality, but a spiritual atmosphere blessing many young men over the South, who received their education at Auburn. But her crowing work was in the world vision as manifested in the Woman's Missionary Society.
Shumin Wong, a pupil of Miss Rankin, the first missionary teacher sent to China through my mother's influence, entered Auburn a few years ago and graduated with highest honors.
Being a most fluent and forceful writer, my mother was a frequent contributor to religious journals and periodicals. I doubt if ever a mother was more beloved than mine. In labor, she was abundant and untiring; in devotion, unflagging; in interest and in sacred art of winning souls, she was gifted above many. In her retired country life, she seemed to have caught a vision of the work awaiting her and she went forth, unshrinking and unafraid, to use her best talents for her Master. Her life was a benediction to all who came within range of her influence. God bless her dear and fragrant memory.
While this is "Mother's Day," I cannot resist the impulse of saying a few words in behalf of my father. He was ever thoughtful and considerate of mother; always anticipating every wish, giving freely of his means, which enabled her to do the work she was so interested in. He was affectionately known as "Uncle Crawf" by all who knew him.

Respectfully,

- James S. Dowdell.