Dovie Christene Nowlin

Dovie Christene Ashlock Nowlin, 98 of Fordyce passed away Friday November 21, 2025 at St. John’s Place in Fordyce. She was born May 5, 1927 at Kingsland to William Lee Ashlock and Mamie Thompson Ashlock. Her parents named her after Dovie McCoy, an evangelist who set up many tent revivals in this area, where many souls were saved.

She was a homemaker and a Proverbs woman. She was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Kingsland, where she taught Sunday School. She loved to crochet pot holders and give them away.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her seven sisters; her husband of 62 ½ years, Hurshel Glenn Nowlin; son-in-law Joseph (Joe) Maricelli; great-granddaughter, Savannah Merryman.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Sharon Nowlin Morgan and Bonnie Nowlin Maricelli; five grandchildren, Keith Maricelli, Katrina (Robert) Cavaness, Karen (David) Bailey, Kristy Maricelli, Ashlee Maricelli; eight great-grandchildren, Jennifer (Dustin) Bailey Sanders, Justin (Sarah) Bailey, Katie Grace Cavaness, Lane Maricelli, Jade Maricelli, Anna Merryman, Braxton Young, Karter Clifton; nine great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday November 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m. at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce with Dusty Rhodes officiating. Dustin Sanders will say the closing prayer. Burial will be at Kingsland Cemetery. Singers will be David Bailey, Celesta Puterbaugh, and Sister Barbara Blann. David Bailey and Jennifer Sanders will sing at the graveside. Pallbearers are Robert Cavaness, David Bailey, Keith Maricelli, Justin Bailey, Lane Maricelli, Dustin Sanders. Honorary pallbearer is David Hand.

The family thanks St. John’s Place and the staff. A very special thank you to David Hand, a long -time family friend who visited her every Sunday and brought her treats.

Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.