Bessie Dowdin

(1913-2011)

After living a very long and fulfilling life, Bessie Adelle Dowdin, 98, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2011 in Merced, California. Bessie was born on June 4, 1913 in Linden, California to Andrew Hinderliter and Lizzie May Spencer Hinderliter. Bessie had six brothers, Alonzo, William, Andrew, Ralph, Herald, and Sidney who all preceded her in death.

Bessie lived with her parents in Linden until 1917 when they moved to Stockton where she attended local public schools. In 1932, she married rice farmer Elmer Dowdin and moved to the Sacramento Valley. She was married to Elmer for 44 years (until his death) and together they had four children, Cyrus, Richard, Christina (Tina), and Lawrence.

She lived on the Dowdin family farm located on property near the Sacramento International Airport until the mid-1980s and ultimately moved to Merced to reside with her daughter Tina in 2003.

Bessie was a loving wife, caring mother, and adoring grandmother and great grandmother. Her strong faith, family, and friends meant everything to her, and she was loved by many.

She is survived by her daughter Tina Orchard (Gerald), son Lawrence (Mary), daughter-in-law Elaine Dowdin (Richard, dec.), as well as her grandchildren Alice Dowdin Calvillo (Frank), Laura Zabkar (Michael), Sarah Fisher (Evan) and Tim Orchard (Gina). She is also survived by three great granddaughters, Elizabeth Fisher, Sophia Calvillo and Irene Orchard.

There will be a celebration of her life at 11:00am on Saturday, November 12 at the Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home at 1490 B Street in Merced. For more information please visit www.stratfordevansfunerals.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.