Mary Bernice Flinchum Dowdy

Bernice Flinchum Dowdy, age 92 of Carthage, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

A native of Moore County, she was a daughter of the late Isaac Jones and Lucy Mae (Mock) Flinchum. Bernice and her late husband Jessie Franklin Dowdy lived in Gulf for many years while raising their daughters. She worked in textiles earlier in life and in 1984 she and Frank moved back to Moore County. 

Bernice was a great cook and there were many great memories made and shared in the kitchen and around the dining room table. She loved her family and her God. Her daughters have fond memories of spending time together boating and skiing at Lake Waccamaw and Lake Gaston, and vacations to the mountains. Bernice and Frank enjoyed traveling and were fortunate to be able to see many of our national parks. 

Bernice spent many years at Bethany Baptist Church in Gulf nurturing the lives of many children and youth. In her retirement years, she enjoyed being on the cemetery committee and various other committees at Calvary Baptist Church in Carthage.

In addition to her husband of 73 years Frank, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter Peggy Lee Dowdy; grandson Franklin Ross Cheek; brother Junior Issac Flinchum and wife Mary Lee; sister Dot Flinchum Guthrie and husband Ray; brother Billy Flinchum and wife Margaret.

She is survived by her daughters Debbie Sullivan and husband Mickey, Phyllis Overton and husband Brent, Lynn Meyers and husband Al all of Carthage, Frankie Dowdy Quinn of Whitsett; nephew Gregory Ritter and wife Kinzia of Carthage; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

An outdoor funeral service will be 2:00 pm Monday, December 27, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Those attending who are not family are asked to bring a lawn chair to sit in. The family will receive friends prior to the service outside the church beginning at 1:00. The body will lie in state in the church from 1:00 – 2:00.

Due to the increased risk of Covid, and for the safety of others the family asks that all attending the service please wear a mask.

Memorials may be made to: The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or,  to Pastor Toss Moore, Calvary Baptist Church – Cemetery Fund, 548 Marley Road, Robbins, NC 27325.

Fry & Prickett Funeral Home is serving the Dowdy family. 

Online condolences may be made at PinesFunerals.com.