Marilyn Richards Dow

August 22, 1921

To

January 30, 2022

Marilyn “Sissy” R. Dow passed away peacefully at her son’s home in Corpus Christi, TX on Sunday January 30, 2022. She was born in Chicago, IL on August 22, 1921.

Sissy’s early years were spent in Chicago, IL with her family, in her teens years she moved to Denver, CO, and Enterprise, MS where she graduated high school. Shortly after the family moved back to Chicago, IL where she worked at the telephone company prior to her enlistment with the U.S. Marine Corps just days after the Corps allowed women to enlist. While stationed at Edenton, N.C. she met her husband Dwight “Dick” Dow. They married December 26, 1944 and were married 70 ½ years prior to his death at 97 years old. After their Marine service they moved to Corpus Christi TX in 1945 where she attended Del Mar College and also to be near her family, where they welcomed their first son “Dicky” and started their family to include David, Debby, Danny, Jamie and adopted son Ricky. During this time, they opened Dee’s Donuts with nine locations in Corpus Christi and the surrounding communities.

Sissy devoted her life to Christ as a child and lived accordingly until her passing. She served her church and traveled as a soloist for Brother Roloff for many years. She also sang with the Corpus Christi Glee Club and numerous church choirs. Sissy and Dick lived and worked in Corpus Christi and New Hampshire moving every 7 years to one or the other states opening and running several successful businesses to include Cullen Mall Cafeteria, Plymouth Inn, Mountain Lodge, Jamie’s restaurants, construction companies, cabinet manufacturing, and personal fine art sales until they retired in their eighties. Sissy also was a prolific artist in oils, water, and china painting as well as enjoyed all other crafts throughout her long life. Including her last Christmas 2021 crocheted gifts at the age of 100.

Her goal in life was to spread the truth of Christ through Bible studies and counseling her family, friends, and people in need through love, comfort, compassion, empathy, faith and inclusion. She was born with an innate ability to relate to everyone and anyone where she struck up conversations with total strangers in all her travels while introducing Christ in relatable fashion.

She is survived by five sons and a daughter. Richard “Dicky” J. (Linda) Dow, David “Davy” O. Dow, Deborah “Debby” D. Dow, Daniel “Danny” B. (Sherry) Dow, Darrell “Jamie” J. (Tami) Dow, and Richard “Ricky” A. MacDonald. 18 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Her sister Kathryn J. (Jack) Carter, numerous nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews. She is preceded death by Father Oliver H. Richards, Mother Virginia B Richards, Sister Virginia B Rowe/Sanchez, Husband Dwight D, Dow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CageMillsFuneralDirectors.com for the Dow family.