Patterson Elementary School student Caroline Dowling of Blackshear and Logan Sharpe has sadly passed away. They died after a tragic accident. Caroline died in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident while Logan, 7-years-old from Patterson, died after being struck by a car on Tyre Bridge Road Sunday afternoon. The school released a statement that reads “”Please join me today in praying for the families of Caroline Dowling (5th grade) and Logan Sharpe(1st grade). Both were students at PES. Please pray for the families, students, and PC Nation as we mourn the loss of these two students.”
Caroline Dowling Birth and Education
Caroline was born on October 29, 2012, in Waycross, Georgia, to David Morris and Dr. Leslie Bennett Dowling. She lived all her life in Pierce County and was a cherished member of the community. Caroline was currently a 5th-grade student at Patterson Elementary School, where she actively participated in various school activities and organizations. She was also a proud member of The National League of Junior Cotillions St. Illa Chapter, which reflects her commitment to manners, etiquette, and social skills.
In school, Caroline excelled academically and was recognized for her hard work and dedication. She was consistently on the A/B Honor Roll, showcasing her diligence and commitment to her studies. During the 2021-2022 school year, she demonstrated her leadership skills by serving as a student house leader for the House of Amistad. Her efforts in academics were further acknowledged through multiple school awards, including the highest achievement in Reading and the highest average in Social Studies.
She also received the PBIS award, the PE award, and was named the Young Authors winner in 2022, highlighting her diverse talents and interests. Caroline was an active member of the Patterson Elementary Beta Club, an organization that fosters leadership and academic achievement among its members. Her involvement in the Beta Club was marked by significant accomplishments. She was a Georgia Elementary Junior Beta State Convention finalist and represented her school as a delegate at the Junior Beta National Convention.
Her achievements at the Jr. Beta State conventions in 2022 and 2023 were remarkable, winning accolades that underscored her skills and dedication. Additionally, she was a member of the Beta Musicology team and part of the Beta 3D state champion team, further demonstrating her collaborative spirit and creative abilities. Caroline’s contributions to her school and community, coupled with her academic and extracurricular achievements, made her a beloved and respected figure among her peers and teachers. Her legacy of excellence, leadership, and kindness will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Caroline Dowling Obituary
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her older brother, Drake Dowling of Mershon; grandparents, Cindy Dowling of Blackshear and Eddie and Diane Bennett of Mershon; great grandmother, Jean Crawford Bowen of Blackshear; aunts and uncles, Brian and Jill Dowling of Patterson and Jim and Marilyn Bennett of Mershon; cousins, Meg Dowling of St. Simons Island, Allie Dowling of Patterson, and Landri Bennett, Chandler Bennett, and Parker Bennett, all of Mershon; great uncles and aunts, Jimmy and Marilyn Bowen of Blackshear, Marvin and Carolyn Pipkin of St. Simons, Leon and Debbie Cochran of St. Marys, Dr. Don and Linda Spence of Mershon, and Virgil Lee Bennett of Alma; and many other cousins and other relatives.
A funeral service will take place Wednesday evening (5/22/2024) at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Blackshear. Burial will follow in the Ramah Cemetery in Mershon. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be the members of the Croc Club (Justin Smith, Jackson Smith, Ethan Ritch, Zach Lee, and Bennett Puryear), Cole McGatha, and Caden McGatha.
