High Desert Inspiration Dr. Eliz Dowdy Succumbs

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 obtained their train.

As Pastor, she saved folks, and likewise the numerous cats of her Sage Blossom Home, a spot for orphans and strays that God had informed her to provide them meals and shelter. Like humanity, they confronted a harsh finish with out intervention, and she or he’d name them by title based mostly on the guarantees of God – Abundance, Improve 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. In the future she cursed a rattler poised to strike, too intently coiled round a bush. When she returned every 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 girl 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 buddy, extra like a sister, “Aunt” Bernice Lytle met Dr. Eliz when all their kids had been youthful within the mid-70s. Ms. Lytle had moved out of state, however they remained tight pals staying in contact by way of the many years. She got here to depend on Pastor Dowdy’s religious recommendation, the closeness and all of the encouragement that she had given her over time to reside life.

“Even once 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 had been simply shut,” she stated.

There have been so many different standout qualities that she delivered to not solely their friendship, however her family 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 severe, believed and trusted, which made her belief and imagine all there extra. She was at all times open and capable of relate her perception, trusting in God even within the occasions that had been tough for her.

“I used to be sitting right here in Michigan pondering she was not going to be right here anymore, that I wouldn’t be capable to speak to her once more about so many issues in my life, my ideas and among the methods I’ve continued to reside. All of that’s due to her,” she stated.

A pioneer of kinds, 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 Fifties, she was additionally a medic, and talked about mastering the artwork of holding breath and breaking out gasoline masks as a part of the job. Her coaching was not too far faraway from WWII.

At all times a fact seeker from when she was 10 years outdated, she got here up out of the river waters of baptism talking in tongues in Windfall, TX, a becoming title for her place to develop.

For years, she served as a prayer warrior with Trinity Broadcasting Community, and as an editor of a prime 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 vital and very important a part of the group, and that she was engaged on the heartbeat of group when protecting occasions.

“She has been irreplaceable in that she was prepared to cowl occasions within the Excessive Desert, all the way in which to Lengthy Seaside,” 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 group will miss her kindness and help.”

Pastor Dowdy held a deep sensitivity for an answer to the killings of younger Black males, which took its strongest measure and dedication by way 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 deal with 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 can be working and residing her younger lifetime dream as a businesswoman. Her Classicchicclothing.com was a aspect hustle to her actual calling as Pastor, as she had a watch for class and classic high quality.

However her foremost focus was the way in which she lived her life.

She believed that humanity couldn’t stand nonetheless on the sidelines spiritually, that it required an lively means of development by way of the Bible, by way of examine, by way of worship and prayer. Over time, she amassed an amazing physique of educating 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 really laugh-out-loud moments.

She was additionally not shy in preaching and educating 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 Struggle.

Rochelle Williams, a decades-long buddy of Pastor Dowdy, stated she liked the way in which she carried herself, even her style sense, and simply her willingness to go the additional mile with all vitality and vigor for individuals who requested. She was at all times younger at coronary heart.

“She introduced folks collectively whether or not by way of the tales she writes, and the connections,” Williams stated. “She had the flexibility to attach folks and wasn’t fearful. She introduced folks 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 together with her mom, who fell in poor health, at all times 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, remembers how Pastor Dowdy was at all times fast to supply phrases of encouragement in occasions of want. She at all times reminded folks to always remember about love and that the guts was greater than a muscle.

When she informed 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 means to see by way of the scenario. She gave the precise phrase for a traumatic time.

With out pondering twice, she stated, “He’s in all probability 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 will probably be held on Thursday, Aug 29 at midday on the Los Angeles Nationwide Cemetery, positioned at 950 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles.