Mrs. Iola P. Dowell

On September 4, 1927, Iola Parnell was born to Lovie Myers Parnell and Silas Parnell in Rankin County, Mississippi, (Sandhill-Pisgah Community). lola married the late Earnest Taylor and to this union, four children born, Lesry Paul, Ronald, Myrtis and Earnestine and two step children, Carl and Curtis Taylor. After the transition of Earnest, she met and later united in Holy Matrimony to the late Charles Dowell on February 24, 1968. To this union, two children were born. They relocated to Chicago, Illinois The couple eventually traveled back to Mississippi to start a new chapter in life, and two children were born, Gwendolyn and Naomi. She also was blessed to have two additional step children, Barry Dowell and Yolanda Jackson. lola, affectionately known throughout the community as "Granny D" in her later years and was well respected by members of the community. She became gainfully employed by the Mississippi State Hospital where she faithfully served and retired after thirty seven years. Mother Dowell attended Lee Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Sandhill Mississippi under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Dwayne Bloodsaw. She absolutely loved her church and was a faithful and devoted member and senior church mother until her health began to decline, placing limitations on her mobility. Her brothers, Thomas and James Parnell; sisters, Charlie Parnell McLin and Ida Lee Parnell Reynolds; children, Gwendolyn Taylor Evans, Lesry Paul and Ronald Taylor spouses, Ernest Taylor and Charles Dowell and a godson, Donnell Barnes, all preceded her in death. On the quiet morning of September 21, 2024 at approximately 10:30 AM, the angels came into lola's room, taped her on shoulder and took her to Heaven's Shore. She had been on the battlefield for ninety-seven years but God saw she needed rest. After fighting the good fight of faith, her great reward (a crown of life) awaited her. Granny D went to a place where the wicked shall cease from troubling and the weary shall be at rest, all of the saints will be gathering to sit at His feet and be blessed. Granny D leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, Myrtis (James) Macklin of Chicago, Illinois, Earnestine (Paul-deceased) Devine and Naomi Payton both of Jackson, Mississippi; a granddaughter and faithful caregiver that she raised as her own, Twanna Taylor of Sandhill, Mississippi and a grandson she also raised as her of own, Delwin (Cindy) Taylor of Clinton, Mississippi; thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren one goddaughter Alice (Donnell-deceased) Barnes of Sandhill, Mississippi and a bouquet of nieces, nephews, church family, neighbors and friends.

Mrs. Iola P. Dowell

September 4, 1927 - September 21, 2024