Rufus "Sonny" Dowdey

Mr. Rufus "Sonny" Dowdey passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at his home in Americus. A celebration of life with visitation is planned for Sunday, January 30, between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 PM at Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St. A native of Sumter County, he was born December 6, 1939 to the late Willis Nelson Dowdy and the late Addie Lovella Taylor Dowdy. He was a retired mechanic, having worked for years repairing John Deere tractors. Many will remember when he performed as Sonny Dowdey and The Boys Howdy. He performed at the VFW in Americus and Cordele, and once opened for Merle Haggard at the Leslie Civic Center. He had the opportunity to go to Nashville to record, but he chose family over fame. He loved riding his motorcycles, fishing, singing, and picking his guitars. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, June Denney; by grandchildren: Mitchell Dowdey, T.J. Strickland, Jonathan "Juicey" Strickland, and Thomas Callier; by two sisters: Florence Leviner and Doris McCrary; and by the mother of his children, Shirley Ward Dowdey. Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Louise Dowdey; his children: Marsha Dowdey, Rufus "Rudy" Dowdey (Carolyn), Brian Dowdey (Angie), Art Strickland, Rick Strickland (Denise), Tim Strickland (Gwen), and Tammy White (Philip); son-in-law, Darrell Denney; grandchildren: Kari Denney (James Dumas), Alex Denney, Brooks Wright (Anthony), Jonathan Dowdey (Lauren), Melissa Dowdey (Oscar Garcia), Steven Dowdey (Jess), Kimberly Renfroe (Jonathan), Brittany Collins (Jonathan), Paxton Hanson, Brooke Peak, Krystal Strickland, Ashley Strickland, Magen Strickland, Kandice Recker, Stephanie Strickland, R.J. Strickland, Amanda Strickland, Timothy Strickland, and Brandon Callier; 22 great-grandchildren with one more due in less than a month; sisters: Myrtle Britt (Coley) of Pitts, GA and Lisa Owens of Smiths Station, AL; and several nieces and nephews. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. Rufus "Sonny" Dowdey.