Obituary of Barbara Dowling

Barbara “Barb” Dowling of Haines City, Florida passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. She was 78 years old. Barb was born on Sunday, July 29, 1945, in Roanoke, Virginia to David J. and Marilyn Jane Dewolf Crockett and moved to Haines City in September of 2020 from Lapeer, Michigan, to be near her son.

Barbara, in her younger days, worked packing carrots in Romeo, Michigan and later on she did some maid work while in Sarasota, Florida at the Cabana Inn, but mostly she was a Mom and a homemaker. She was a member of Columbiaville United Methodist Church in Columbiaville, Michigan where she was very active with all sorts of functions. Barb had a love for coloring, playing Bingo, Rummy, Skip Bo and Euchre, as well as knitting. She truly loved snacks, chocolate to be more specific, and believed that a meal was never over until dessert was served.  Barbara was the family member who believed in keeping in touch, she never forgot to send out her cards to family and friends, whether it was a holiday or birthday and she also enjoyed attending parties, especially birthday parties and Christmas parties. Barbara is remembered by her family as a person who “put a lot of joy in people’s hearts”, and a charismatic woman who drew people to her with her laughter and million-dollar smile.

She was predeceased by her parents, David and Marilyn; husband, Orville Dowling; son, Mark Dowling and brothers, David Crockett and Lee Crockett; brother-in-law, Gary Hill. Barbara is survived by her son, Michael Dowling and his wife, Kelly; sister, Melinda Hill; brother, Timothy Crockett and his wife, Debbie; sister-in-law, Sue Crockett; ex-sister-in-law, Karen Crockett; grandchildren, Nathan Dowling, Alisha Long, Angela Dowling, Ashley Dowling, Amber Jeckovich, Sebastian Marzlock and Millennia Marzlock; great grandchildren, Kason Black, Kohen Black, Eliza Dowling, Ella White and Savannah Dowling as well as nieces and nephews,Gary and Lisa Hill, David Crockett, Justin Crockett and Katie, Mandy and Chris Wilson, Timothy and wife Julie Crockett, Jody, Jared and Jake and great nieces and nephew, Natalie, Luke, Emily, Kennedy and Peyton Wilson.