Dec. 2, 1935 - Dec. 1, 2009
Mary Lou Dowden-Hendrix, 73, went to be with Jesus at 2:48 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, in her residence.
Mary Lou, daughter of Samuel and Marguerite Johnson, was born in Kokomo on Dec. 2, 1935, and graduated from Greentown High School. With the exception of a few years in Chicago, she spent most of her adult life in Kokomo. She began working for Stellite Corp. in 1965 and later Kokomo Family Care (now American Health Network) in 1977. She remained a full-time employee with AHN up until the time of her passing.
Mary Lou had a passion for children, and like her mother, spent many decades teaching Sunday School. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Kokomo and taught the 3 and 4-year-old Sunday School class until she was diagnosed with cancer nearly three years ago. As a testament of her commitment to love children to Christ, she requested that “Jesus Loves Me” be played at her funeral so that the children would know one of the songs.
Mary Lou is survived by her children, Michelle Dowden, Palatka, Fla., Jeff Dowden (Cheryl), Noblesville, and Steve Dowden (Meghan), Bloomfield. She has six grandchildren, Cassie, Justin, Victoria, Lauren, Conner and Will. She was expecting her first great-grandchild early next year.
Mary Lou’s love for the Lord, her family and her colleagues was abundantly evident to those who knew her.
Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at First Church of the Nazarene, 2734 S. Washington St., Kokomo, with the Rev. David Leeder officiating, senior pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene. Burial will follow at Albright Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ellers Mortuary, Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St.
Memorial contributions may be given to First Church of the Nazarene, envelopes will be provided at the mortuary on Friday and at the church on Saturday. Online condolences may be directed to the Hendrix family at www.ellersmortuary.com.
