Norman Dowdell
Norman Dowdell, a two-time military veteran, fought in both World War II and the Korean War as a part of the United States Navy as a Sonar Technician, a Petty Officer, and third class on the USS Princeton. He was born March 10th, 1927 to Joe Dowdell, his father, and Louella Dowdell, his mother in Loachapoka, Alabama. Him and his parents grew up seemingly poor for majority of his life, as they had to work their way out of sharecropping. In 1935, him and his family relocated to a house on Frazier St. in Auburn. On March 9th, 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and fought in World War II for the next three years. Later, he enlisted in the Korean War in 1952 and fought for the following four years. When he was 19, he purchased his own house, and was likely the first person in his family to won property. He may have had an easier time because of his military status. Soon after his discharge, his father, Joe Dowdell, died from an acute attack in 1957. His memorial was held at the AME Zion Church, which he was an active member of, surrounded by his loving family members and recent wife, Gertrude Dowdell. He had four children, Dextin Ugene Dowdell, Christine Elaine Dowdell, Cortrula Falcia Dowdell, and Levorra Agangad Dowdellwith Mary Alice Byrd. Then, October 11th, 1961, he and Mary Alice Byrd got married. At some point during his life, he relocated to 325 Bragg Avenue in Auburn, at another point of his life, he also received a DWI, a one hundred dollar fine, and had his license suspended for six months. Unfortunately, he lived a surprisingly short life, dying at just 40 years of age on December, 12th, 1967 after he was murdered by Luke Welch. Welch stabbed Dowdell in the chest four times before leaving him under a bridge in Elmore County. This was significant because Welch was also a black man. Another significant fact about him was that he was a registered voter. His memorial was held January of 1968 and was buried in the Baptist Hill Cemetery.
Contributed by Conner and Ginger from Auburn High School
Sources:
1930 Federal Census
1940 Federal Census
1946 Warranty Deed
1947 World War II Navy Muster Roll A
1947 World War II Navy Muster Roll B
1952 Voters List
1955 Navy Cruise Book
1956 Veterans Affairs
1957 Obituary
1961 Medical Exam
1961 Marriage License
1961 Marriage
1962 Registered Voters
1963 Short Docket
1964 Death Record
1968 Newspaper
1968 Obituary
1968 Newspaper
1968 Newspaper
1968 SSI Claims
1982 Marriage (Daughter)