Lawrence Dowdy was born at home in Marion County, Mississippi on March 29, 1935, to parents Olen Perry Dowdy and Lou Francis (Smith) Dowdy.  He grew up near the small community of Foxworth and went to high school in Columbia.  He moved away from home before finishing high school to work but later completed requirements to attain his GED.  He worked on farms, tugboats on the Mississippi River, a gas station, and the oil fields.  He also served in the Mississippi National Guard between 1955-1962.   

One day he went to a local restaurant in Columbia where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Gean Moree, who was working at the restaurant. Lawrence and Dorothy married shortly thereafter.  Lawrence and Dorothy had three children Michael, Kenneth and Cynthia.   

Seeking better job opportunities, he went to work with seismographic companies and eventually worked the next 35+ years for Western Geophysical.  During his career with Western, he and Dorothy lived in three countries (US, Argentina, and Canada) and six states (Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Michigan, and California). He started as a driller helper and later moved on to newer vibratory seismic technology. During that time, he became a leading operator and mechanic for this new technology, and eventually became a mechanical supervisor traveling to numerous countries and states assisting multiple crews with their equipment fleets within the Western organization. 

When Lawrence retired in 2001, he and Dorothy moved back to their roots to Columbia, MS, to care for their mothers.  Being one who never sat still long, he worked several part time roles with BJ Services and Car Quest Auto Parts.  He also did community service work presenting US flags to local schools and organizations. After the passing of their mothers, they moved to San Angelo, TX, where he was taken good care of by daughter Cindy and husband Scott Hurt and other family members. 

Lawrence loved the Lord and instilled that love in his children. He enjoyed being around his grandkids and great grandkids. He loved to fish and tinker with all sorts of motorized equipment. He was a physically strong and imposing figure, yet a gentle giant in his demeanor to others, especially as he cared for his elderly mother in her later years. 

Lawrence is survived by his wife Dorothy, son Michael and daughter-in-law Susan, son Kenneth and daughter-in-law Becky, daughter Cynthia and son-in-law Scott Hurt, and grandson Michael Dowdy and wife Lindsay, grandson David Dowdy and wife Jennifer, granddaughter Allison and husband Matt Hallford, granddaughter Jean and husband Brad Heare, granddaughter Kendra and husband Stephen Renke, grandson Cody Hurt and wife Scarlett and eleven great grandchildren.  

He is now with his Lord and Savior. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and two sisters.  We will miss him but only for a little while.  Because of his huge caring heart, many people can attest to being touch by his gentle kindness.  As his great-grandson stated, “He is fishing with Jesus”.

Diane Dee (Stansberry) Brownlee was born in San Angelo, Texas on December 24, 1950 to F.T. and Charlcy (Taylor) Stansberry of Eden, Texas. Diane passed away peacefully during the early morning hours on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at her home in San Angelo, Texas.

Diane grew up as the youngest of four children in a ranching family north of Eden, Texas. She attended school and church in Eden, graduating in 1969 and baptized as a young teenager at the Eden Methodist Church. Diane's favorite childhood activity was to be horseback helping her family work cattle, whether it was in Texas or on the family ranch in Arizona in the summers. As a child, family and friends knew her best for her paint horse "Paint" and always having her little dog Snoopy in tow. She often expressed that she was not at all thrilled when her parents built a house in Eden and moved her and her siblings to town.

Diane spent most of her adult life ranching in Concho and Menard counties. She took on the role of wife, helpmate, and mother in 1969 after marrying Charles Hurst and beginning their family on a ranch in Concho County. They welcomed their first daughter Lara in 1969 and their second daughter Julie in 1974. Life later took Diane to Alpine where she'd remarry to her late husband Sam Brownlee on February 1,1986. They resided in Alpine until they returned to one of the family ranches in Menard County in 1991. Diane continued ranching after Sam's sudden death in 2007, then moved to San Angelo in 2013 to be closer to her daughters after her mother's passing in 2012. Diane endured a lot of loss in her life which grew her into the strong willed and independent person she was.

She was known for the joy brought to her by all of her animals throughout her life. Her cows, horses, goats, cats, and dogs. They meant everything to her. She made it difficult to sell her livestock crop each year because she had named each and every calf and gathered up newborn goats while their mommas were out grazing to make them her bottle babies.

Diane will always be remembered for her laughter and her sweet and sassy soul with a forgiving heart.

Diane is preceded in death by her parents F. T. and Charlcy Stansberry, her husband Sam Brownlee, brother John Charles Stansberry, and sister Judy Clark.

Diane is survived by her daughters Lara Lynn Kinsey and her husband Jack, and Julie Rainey and her husband Clint all of San Angelo. One brother Robert Stansberry and his wife Barbara of Eden. Father of her children Charles Hurst of Eden. Two grandsons Justin Hahn and River Kinsey. One granddaughter Morgan Kinsey. Diane also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Graveside service for Diane will be held Friday, October 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Eden Cemetery in Eden, Texas.