Caroline Bennett Dowling

Miss Caroline Bennett Dowling, age 11, of Mershon, passed away Saturday evening (5/18/2024) from injuries sustained in an accident.

Caroline was born October 29, 2012, in Waycross to David Morris and Dr. Leslie Bennett Dowling. She lived all her life in Pierce County and was currently a 5th grade student at Patterson Elementary School and a member of The National League of Junior Cotillions St. Illa Chapter.

In school, she was an A/B Honor Roll student, a student house leader in 2021-2022 for the House of Amistad, and was the recipient of multiple school awards including highest achievement in Reading, highest average in Social Studies, PBIS award, PE award, and the Young Authors winner in 2022.

A member of the Patterson Elementary Beta Club, she was a Georgia Elementary Junior Beta State Convention finalist, Junior Beta National Convention delegate, Jr. Beta State convention winner in 2022 and 2023, member of the Beta Musicology team, and a member of the Beta 3D state champion team.

Enjoying sports, Caroline was an active participant at the Pierce County Recreation Department where she played basketball and softball and enjoyed being a pitcher. She was currently a member of the 12u Pierce County Softball All-Star team and played travel softball with the Aces and Barn Ballers.  Last week, Caroline was honored to make the Pierce County Middle School softball team for next school year.

Caroline enjoyed being outdoors and loved animals. She enjoyed riding her horse, Honey, and loved her dog, Rudy, and cat, Milo. 

A faithful member of First Baptist Church in Blackshear, she attended the 4th and 5th grade Sunday School Class, a member of FBC Kids, and a member of the Kid’s Choir. She enjoyed being involved and active at her church and showing the love of Jesus to all around her.

Caroline was filled with love and kindness. With a gentle spirit, she embraced everyone, showed compassion, and made others feel valued. She was truly a shining light for Jesus and leaves a lasting impression in the hearts of all who knew her, forever!

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Morris E. “Buddy” Dowling, Jr. and her maternal great grandfather, John E. “Buddy” Bowen.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her older brother, Drake Dowling of Mershon; grandparents, Cindy Dowling of Blackshear and Eddie and Diane Bennett of Mershon; great grandmother, Jean Crawford Bowen of Blackshear; aunts and uncles, Brian and Jill Dowling of Patterson and Jim and Marilyn Bennett of Mershon; cousins, Meg Dowling of St. Simons Island, Allie Dowling of Patterson, and Landri Bennett, Chandler Bennett, and Parker Bennett, all of Mershon; great uncles and aunts, Jimmy and Marilyn Bowen of Blackshear, Marvin and Carolyn Pipkin of St. Simons, Leon and Debbie Cochran of St. Marys, Dr. Don and Linda Spence of Mershon, and Virgil Lee Bennett of Alma; and many other cousins and other relatives.

A funeral service will take place Wednesday evening (5/22/2024) at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Blackshear.  Burial will follow in the Ramah Cemetery in Mershon.

The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday from 2-5 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers will be the members of the Croc Club (Justin Smith, Jackson Smith, Ethan Ritch, Zach Lee, and Bennett Puryear), Cole McGatha, and Caden McGatha.

The family request that members of all her softball teams (Aces, 12u All-Stars, and PCMS Softball), First Baptist Church 4th and 5th grade Sunday school class, and all members of the Pierce County High School Class of 2031 (current 5th graders) serve as honorary pallbearers. Please arrive at the church by 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Baptist Church Kid’s Ministry, 670 Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.

Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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