Rissie Katherine Dowdle Selby, 85, of Caledonia, MS, died August 24, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family. Services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at New Salem Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Duncan and Dr. Hal Selby, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Rowan Cemetery in Caledonia with Rev. Sammy Crawford officiating. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 p.m. Monday at Gunter and Peel Funeral Home. Born December 7, 1928 in Caledonia, MS, Katherine was the daughter of the late Robert Edwin Dowdle, Sr. and Cora Sadie Smith Dowdle. She was a faithful member of New Salem Baptist Church. She retired from Ruth's downtown after 20 years of working on second floor in the ladies' dress department. She loved her work and the relationships made during her time at Ruth's. Upon retirement, she enjoyed time spent with the ladies of her Sunday School class as well as time spent with granddaughters and great-granddaughters. Mrs. Selby was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas W. Selby, Jr., a sister, Mary Claire Dowdle, four brothers, Robert, Smith, Murry, and Jim Dowdle, and twin granddaughters, Laura Katherine and Kelly Leigh Vaughn. Mrs. Selby is survived by daughters, Kay and Tommy Vaughn of Steens, and Sherry and Gary Sumrall of Baker La., granddaughters Allison and Chris Winklepleck of Montgomery, Al and Lindsay and Hal Kerstetter of Columbus, Ms., four great-granddaughters, Hannah and Lucy Winklepleck and Isabella and Sophie Kerstetter, and two brothers, Walter Smith Dowdle of Goodwater, Al and Elzy Thomas Dowdle of Senatobia, Ms. Pallbearers will be Chris Winklepleck, Hal Kerstetter, Jim Dowdle, Walt Dowdle, Robert Price and Roger Puhr. Honorary Pallbearers will be friends Billy Hays, Don Gilmer, Billy Kerstetter, Gary Winklepleck, Clay Shepherd, Lamar Jones, Chuck Putt, Eddie Rushing, Jim Smith, Ronnie Pennington, John Gilmer, David Gaddy, Tony Smith and her many nephews and family who were so dear to her. The family would also like to express their gratitude and sincere thanks to the ladies who provided excellent care and companionship to Mrs. Selby over the past five months: Melissa Shanklin, Bessie Smith, Linda Craddieth, Emma Danner, Cassandra Neal, Lenora Johnson, and Jean Armistead. Gentiva Home Health has also provided excellent in-home care for which the family is very grateful. Memorials may be made to New Salem Baptist Church Youth and Children Ministries, 7086 Wolfe Road, Columbus, MS 39705, and Gideon's International, P.O. Box 2174, Columbus, MS 39704.
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