Alice Lynn Dowell Jolly

Alice Lynn Dowell Jolly of Olin passed peacefully at her home Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the age of 93 with her son present. She was born February 16, 1933 to Dewey Frederick Dowell and Velta Redmond Dowell as the oldest female of ten children.

She is survived by two brothers, Landon and Lyman (Louise) and two sisters Kay Brown and Faye Ellis. Also, her son Dr. Thomas Jolly, wife Ginny, and grandson Michael Andrew of Advance and granddaughter Stacy Jolly Swarbrick and her husband Connor and great grandson Theo Jolly Swarbrick of Charlotte; as well as a brother-in-law Terry Jolly and sister-in-law Pat Bell Jolly (Von), plus many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Frederick, William, Thomas, Joshua and sister Ila Ruth.

Lynn grew up on the family farm in Olin, graduated from Union Grove High School early and played basketball at Wingate before pursuing a nursing education at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore.

She was married for 58 years to Joe S. Jolly Jr. of Love Valley until he passed away in 2015. Lynn lived a very productive life, most notably as the director of The Mercy School of Nursing, a Catholic institution, in Charlotte for 27 years. Lynn was a hard working, incredibly intelligent woman with an unwavering, strong faith, and a passion for teaching and training nursing students and administrating a Catholic hospital School of Nursing as the only non-Catholic nun to hold the position of director.

Her hobbies included keeping large vegetable and flower gardens and reading the Bible. In her later years, she spent as much time as possible with her family, caring for her aging parents, her grandchildren and most recently, her great grandson Theo who seemed to bring her new life.

She was selfless, compassionate, empathetic and was always contributing her abilities to benefit others. Lynn maintained a caring and compassionate heart, faithful and abiding dedication to God and family, a wealth of knowledge throughout life.

A funeral service celebrating Lynn's life will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Rocky Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Daniel Melton officiating. She will be laid to rest in the cemetery beside her husband following the funeral service.

For the outstanding care and support provided, the family wishes to thank Mountain Valley Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice; 105 North Crutchfield Street, Unit #2; Dobson, NC 27017.

Condolences and messages of sympathy may be sent to the family, online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Jolly and her family.