Ted Dowden, 88

September 17, 1936 – September 5, 2025

On Friday, September 5, 2025, Thomas Earl (Ted) Dowden passed away of cancer surrounded by his loving life partner, Nancy J. Whitten and devoted daughter, Donita Dowden Bailey. He was born on September 17, 1936, in Phenix City, Alabama, to Nathan Amos Dowden and Miriam Earline Davis. 
In 1955, after graduating from Okolona High School, he attended Mississippi State University, where in 1959 he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and continued on to a Master’s Degree in Education. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He then enlisted in the United States Army, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant and working at the Pentagon during the Cuban missile crisis, where he received a commendation from the Central Intelligence Agency.

Ted left the army with an honorable discharge and served for many years after his to return to Okolona, Mississippi, in the National Guard, where he rose to the command of the Okolona unit. He taught history and then became the principal of the Okolona High School. He completed the requirements to become a licensed professional counselor, and worked for many years as manager of outpatient counseling services at NMMC’s Behavioral Health Center in Tupelo. His specialty was drug and alcohol addition. 

Until a number of eye surgeries limited his ability, Ted had been a voracious reader. He enjoyed traveling and studying the history of the countries he visited. He followed Mississippi State in every sport played at the university.

At the family’s request there will be no public service or visitation. Holland Funeral Directors is providing funeral services for Ted Dowden. Condolences may be posted on Ted’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.

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