Caroline Bennett Dowling, 11, of Mershon, passed away Saturday evening, May 18, 2024, from injuries sustained in an accident.
She 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 fifth 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, she 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, she was honored to make the Pierce County Middle School softball team for next school year.
She enjoyed being outdoors and loved animals. She enjoyed riding her horse, Honey and loved her dog, Rudy and her 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.
She 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, Mershon; grandparents, Cindy Dowling, Blackshear and Eddie and Diane Bennett, Mershon; great-grandmother, Jean Crawford Bowen, Blackshear; aunts and uncles, Brian and Jill Dowling, Patterson and Jim and Marilyn Bennett, Mershon; cousins, Meg Dowling, St. Simons Island, Allie Dowling, Patterson, and Landri Bennett, Chandler Bennett and Parker Bennett, all of Mershon; great-uncles and great-aunts, Jimmy and Marilyn Bowen, Blackshear, Marvin and Carolyn Pipkin, St. Simons, Leon and Debbie Cochran, St. Marys, Dr. Don and Linda Spence, Mershon and Virgil Lee Bennett, Alma and many other cousins and other relatives.
Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at the First Baptist Church in Blackshear.
Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, from the First Baptist Church in Blackshear.
Interment will follow in the Ramah Cemetery in Mershon.
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. They are asked to please arrive at the church by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.
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.
