Sarah Vernell Dowling

Sarah Vernell Dowling, 90 years young, a longtime Olustee resident, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital. Born on January 5, 1935 in Manor, Georgia, Sarah was the daughter of Joseph Daniel and Ruth Steedley Martin.

Sarah enjoyed fifty six years of marriage with the love of her life, Freeman Lavern Dowling until his passing in 2013. Ms. Dowling had a true servant’s heart, volunteering alongside her husband at the Olustee Fire Station for many years. She was an active member of the Macclenny Woman’s Club for over thirty years. She was voted Woman of the Year in 1997. She served as club secretary and chairwoman for the telephone tree, civic engagement, conservation and outreach, She was also co-chairwoman of the education committee, which oversaw the book fairs and health and vision screenings in local schools. She also volunteered over the years at her church, with the American Red Cross, with the Olustee Battlefield Reenactments and Relay for Life. Later in her life, she was a supporter of FFA while her grandchildren were active in the program. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Devoy Martin, Ralph Martin, Juanita Rathke, and Thelma Holt; and her beloved husband, Freeman Lavern Dowling.

She leaves behind to cherish years of memories, her daughter, Brenda Dowling of Olustee; grandchildren, Austin (Kallie) Gibson, Timmy Gibson, Sarah (Richard) Englar, and Brendan (Kari) Gibson; great-grandchildren, Huck, Dolly, Andy and Emma; brother, Horace (Helen) Martin of Manor, Georgia; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration to honor Sarah’s life will be held Friday, July 11, 2025 at Christian Fellowship Temple at 11:00 AM with Pastor Gary Crummey officiating. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, July 10, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the church. Interment will follow services on Friday at Swift Creek Cemetery, 13328 NW CR 100A, Lake Butler, Florida.

Pallbearers will be Timmy Gibson, Austin Gibson, Brendan Gibson, Richard Englar, Wyatt Milton, and Kevin Owen.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Dowling family during their time of loss.