By Dianne Anderson
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth “Elsie Faye” Coleman Dowdy liked horses, and though she didn’t experience them, she did stroll them round by the leash to ensure they bought their train.
As Pastor, she saved individuals, and in addition the numerous cats of her Sage Blossom Home, a spot for orphans and strays that God had advised her to offer them meals and shelter. Like humanity, they confronted a harsh finish with out intervention, and she or he’d name them by identify primarily based on the guarantees of God – Abundance, Enhance and Prosperity come forth.
Naturally, she hated snakes, though she lived amongst them on her 10-acre ranch within the sizzling Excessive Desert the place she would typically examine the perimeter of the property. At some point she cursed a rattler poised to strike, too intently coiled round a bush. When she returned per week later, it was petrified, lifeless.
To know Pastor Dowdy is to not be too stunned. It was the typical day within the lifetime of a lady of religion.
She transitioned, or as she would put it, she shed her earth-suit and has gone again to the place she began from the inspiration of the earth. She was 84.
Very long time pal, extra like a sister, “Aunt” Bernice Lytle met Dr. Eliz when all their kids have been youthful within the mid-70s. Ms. Lytle had moved out of state, however they remained tight buddies staying in contact by means of the many years. She got here to depend on Pastor Dowdy’s non secular recommendation, the closeness and all of the encouragement that she had given her over time to reside life.
“Even after we first met, she was very sincere, a really studious particular person. She was not a pastor once I met her, however she was an encourager. I may name her and she or he would undergo the scriptures with me. We have been simply shut,” she stated.
There have been so many different standout qualities that she delivered to not solely their friendship, however her circle of relatives and Pastor Dowdy’s kids are additionally a testomony to her integrity. She stated they’re of high quality, educated and respectable.
When it got here to the Phrase, she stated Pastor Dowdy was very critical, believed and trusted, which made her belief and imagine all there extra. She was all the time open and capable of relate her perception, trusting in God even within the occasions that have been tough for her.
“I used to be sitting right here in Michigan considering she was not going to be right here anymore, that I wouldn’t have the ability to speak to her once more about so many issues in my life, my ideas and a few of the methods I’ve continued to reside. All of that’s due to her,” she stated.
A pioneer of types, at occasions she lived out of a giant tent on her ranch the place she was in good half a survivalist lengthy earlier than it was modern. Whereas serving within the Ladies’s Military Corps within the Nineteen Fifties, she was additionally a medic, and talked about mastering the artwork of holding breath and breaking out fuel masks as a part of the job. Her coaching was not too far faraway from WWII.
At all times a reality seeker from when she was 10 years previous, she got here up out of the river waters of baptism talking in tongues in Windfall, TX, a becoming identify for her place to develop.
For years, she served as a prayer warrior with Trinity Broadcasting Community, and as an editor of a high Christian journal, in addition to a talented, educated journalist with the Precinct Reporter the place she lined problems with social injustice.
Brian Townsend, editor and writer of the Precinct Reporter counseled Dr. Dowdy as an necessary and very important a part of the workforce, and that she was engaged on the heartbeat of neighborhood when masking occasions.
“She has been irreplaceable in that she was prepared to cowl occasions within the Excessive Desert, all the best way to Lengthy Seashore,” he stated.
But once more, he additionally was personally impacted by her prepared coronary heart and talent to hope for others in occasions of want.
“Dr. Dowdy was a prayer warrior,” he stated. “There have been occasions once I was in want of the Phrase once I misplaced my mom and brother, for instance, and she or he helped quiet my soul. I’m going to overlook her and I feel the neighborhood will miss her kindness and assist.”
Pastor Dowdy held a deep sensitivity for an answer to the killings of younger Black males, which took its strongest measure and dedication by means of her prayer group. The 100,000 Praying African American Ladies was spurred by the tragic vigilante racist killing of Trayvon Martin.
For all her lifetime of intense concentrate on the Phrase, she additionally took her place in a society the place ladies are sometimes scoffed as pastors, and the place she hadn’t fairly anticipated her calling to the pulpit.
Typically, she spoke about how she thought she could be working and dwelling her younger lifetime dream as a businesswoman. Her Classicchicclothing.com was a facet hustle to her actual calling as Pastor, as she had an eye fixed for magnificence and classic high quality.
However her major focus was the best way she lived her life.
She believed that humanity couldn’t stand nonetheless on the sidelines spiritually, that it required an energetic technique of development by means of the Bible, by means of examine, by means of worship and prayer. Over time, she amassed an excellent physique of instructing at Lion of Judah Worship Heart at lojwc.org, the place she poured her coronary heart out week after week, and taught with conviction and urgency.
Her pure fashion and talent to interrupt down powerful theological ideas into on a regular basis language got here amid some actually laugh-out-loud moments.
She was additionally not shy in preaching and instructing about calling out the evils of incessant racism that was dead-bent on tearing society aside. It was for the preservation of that very same society that she served within the army, and as her husband fought for and died within the Tet Offensive within the Vietnam Conflict.
Rochelle Williams, a decades-long pal of Pastor Dowdy, stated she liked the best way she carried herself, even her vogue sense, and simply her willingness to go the additional mile with all vitality and vigor for many who requested. She was all the time younger at coronary heart.
“She introduced individuals collectively whether or not by means of the tales she writes, and the connections,” Williams stated. “She had the flexibility to attach individuals and wasn’t fearful. She introduced individuals collectively who usually wouldn’t see one another so they may assist advance each other. I favored that about her.”
Williams’ mom had moved from Louisiana to Victorville the place she was a member of Emmanuel Temple CME. Pastor Dowdy, who was additionally a member, took time to be along with her mom, who fell sick, all the time visiting, sharing her data on herbs and flowers.
“She was very inclusive, even in her 70s to open a clothes boutique, issues that usually individuals at that age wouldn’t do. She didn’t let age maintain her,” she stated. “She cared and she or he confirmed it.”
Dianne Anderson, fellow reporter with the Precinct Reporter, recollects how Pastor Dowdy was all the time fast to supply phrases of encouragement in occasions of want. She all the time reminded individuals to always remember about love and that the guts was greater than a muscle.
When she advised Pastor Dowdy about her younger nephew, who lived a tough troubled youth, and had been baptized, however died manner too younger, she had an uncanny capability to see by means of the scenario. She gave the fitting phrase for a traumatic time.
With out considering twice, she stated, “He’s most likely happier now than he’s ever been in his life.”
Her Memorial Service was held Wednesday, Aug 28, at Emmanuel Temple CME in Victorville. Her burial with full army honors can be held on Thursday, Aug 29 at midday on the Los Angeles Nationwide Cemetery, situated at 950 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles.