Sunne "Marjie" Marjean Dowling

Sunne Marjean “Marjie” Dowling was born on February 11th, 1952 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of Harvey Forrest and Mary Lillian (Hicks) Chase II. She grew up with one brother, Harvey “Frosty” Chase III and one sister, Dawna Sue Chase-Hawkins. Like her grandmother before her, Marjie decided to pursue the dedicated life of a teacher, working in Tahlequah all of her career as a Special Education Instructor. She married her best friend and companion, Billy Lynn Dowling, in Miami, OK on December 27, 1989. Together they raised their son, Joshua Carson Looney. Marjie took life by the horns and gave it all she had to give. She taught in Tahlequah Public Schools since 1989. Her spare time was spent coaching Special Olympics, Treasurer for the Tahlequah Men’s Homeless Shelter, and a dedicated member of the First Christian Church of Tahlequah, serving as Deacon, Treasurer, Vacation Bible School Instructor and any other capacity that was needed. She adored her son, and enjoyed watching him graduate from Dental School, marry his sweetheart, Michelle and watching the grandbabies grow. She thought her grandchildren, Lynlee, Tugg, and Baker were the most talented people on earth. “Nene” was their biggest fan and supported every activity they ever tried. She loved the town of Tahlequah, and never saw a reason to travel far from its borders. She enjoyed a little free time in the garden and helping Billy with his “Honey-Do” list that seemed to grow with each passing year. All she cherished and loved in this world was right here, and it didn’t get any better than her life here. She loved the people she met daily, the friends that kept her entertained, the family she loved beyond measure, and her church family. She felt called to serve, and did so in every capacity with dignity, grace, humor and her ever present Marjie grin. The Lord called this good and faithful servant home from all of her labors on October 24th, 2021 at her home, surrounded by the family she loved so much. She was 69 years old and leaves a path for us to follow, she led the way.

Marjie is preceded in death by her grandparents, Harvey Forrest Chase Sr. and wife Jean Mallow Chase, and George Earl Hicks Sr. and wife Grace Marie Witt Hicks. She joins her mother, father, brother, sister and her infant son, Jason Kendall Looney, who passed in 1978.

Those left to cherish the precious memories include her husband Billy Dowling of the home in Tahlequah, and her son, Joshua Carson Looney and wife Michelle Hobbs of Tahlequah, OK. She lives on in her beloved grandchildren, Lynlee Nicole Looney, Carson Tugg Looney, Joshua Baker Looney, and three bonus grandchildren, Maggie Rae Dickerson, Anna Christine Dickerson, and JW Tripp Dickerson all of Tahlequah, OK. She leaves nieces, nephews, cousins and more friends than she will ever know. Most importantly, she leaves a legacy of loving, learning, and caring more for others than herself.

Marjie loved helping with Special Olympics and would be honored if you remembered her by making a donation to The Tahlequah Special Olympics, 225 N. Water Avenue, Tahlequah, OK 74464.

Memorial services for Sunne Marjean “Marjie” Dowling will be held on Friday, October 29th, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Cornerstone Fellowship Church with Reverend Darell Christopher officiating. Pallbearers for Marjie include Jan Rucker, Carolyn Allen, Ruth Poteete, Mandi Jordan, Janell Meigs, and Nancy Jones. Her honorary pallbearers include the Tahlequah Police Department, Fred Poteete, David Bookout, Harold Terry, Steve Young and Rendy Rucker Mattler. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com.