Veotta Inell Dowler was born on November 17, 1916 in Gravelly, Arkansas to Johnston Cicero & Fannie (St. Vgine) Thornton. She passed from this life on July 20, 2006 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 89 years, 8 months & 3 days.

Veotta came to the Bixby community with her family when she was 16 years old and had been a resident here for the rest of her life. She was a devoted, longtime member of the Downtown Church of Christ. While her family remembers her as a devoted homemaker, she also worked as a custodian for the Bixby Public Schools for 6 years. She was a wonderful person that always looked for the good in people and was a great example of the kind of person we should all strive to be for her large family and many friends. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her.

She married Thomas J. Dowler, Sr. on October 11, 1935 in Bixby and after almost 40 years together, he preceded her in death on August 27, 1975. She was also preceded by 2 sons; Joe Don Dowler & Robert Dale Dowler, 1 daughter; Wanda Wade and a grandson; Leslie Boyd Dowler. She is survived by 1 son; Thomas J. Dowler, Jr. and wife Ruth Ann, of Bixby, 1 daughter; Kathy McSpadden and husband Chuck, of Bellaire, TX, 3 sisters; Grace Jones, Flo Thomas & Flonnie Lovitt all of Bixby, 12 grandchildren; Ken, Kevin, Melanie & Michelle Wade, Mike, Mark, Robert, Rick, Gary, Steve, Marty & Bryan Dowler, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, church family and friends.

Casket bearers were Kenneth Wade, Kevin Wade, Mark Dowler, Robert Dowler, Marty Dowler & Bryan Dowler. Honorary bearers were Rick Dowler, Mike Dowler, Steve Dowler, Gary Dowler, Melvin Maxwell & Joey Creamer.