Tressie Louise Michaels was born the daughter of Otto Dowdy and Lourana (Bell) Dowdy on July 28, 1929, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and departed this life November 4, 2015, in Thayer, Missouri, at the age of 86 years.
She was united in marriage on January 14, 1950, at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Earl Emerson Michaels, who preceded her in death on December 10, 2000.
She is survived by one daughter, Karen “Susie” Earls and husband, Nicky of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; one daughter-in-law, Marica Michaels of Mammoth Spring; four grandchildren, Nicole Earls of Mammoth Spring, Earl Wayne Michaels, Jr. and wife, Leah of Lake City, Arkansas, Nathan Michaels of Mammoth Spring, and Joseph Earls and wife, Kayla of Paragould, Arkansas; nine great grandchildren, Rebecca, Lillian, Xander, Curtis, Caleb, Landan, Kelsey, Trey, and McKinley; one brother, Johnnie Dowdy and wife, Linda of Koshkonong, Missouri; two sisters, Ruby Hollis of Thayer, Missouri and Lora Abney and husband, Bill of Thayer; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Lourana Dowdy; her husband, Earl E. Michaels; one son, Earl Wayne Michaels; one brother, Jesse Dowdy; one nephew, Boyd Hollis; one brother-in-law, Leahmon Hollis; and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Dowdy.
Tressie was a lifelong resident of the Mammoth Spring/Thayer area. She was a graduate of the Mammoth Spring High School, graduating with the class of 1947. She was employed at the shirt factory in Salem, Arkansas for many years. During her working career, Tressie will be remembered as the owner and operator of Michael’s Variety Store in Mammoth Spring, where shoppers were welcome and many folks stopped by for a good visit around the old wood stove.
She was a fantastic cook, loved hosting family gatherings, and was known for her famous potatoes and gravy.
Tressie enjoyed working along side her husband, Earl, on the family
farm, working in her flower garden, and growing beautiful houseplants.
Mrs. Michaels was a long-time member of the Mammoth Spring Church of Christ, and was active with the Fulton County Historical Society.
She dearly loved her family and had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will truly be missed by her family, friends and the community in which she lived.
Funeral services for Mrs. Michaels will be Friday, November 6, 2015, at 10:00 AM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Barry O’Dell officiating.
The family will receive friends at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer on Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in Moten Cemetery near Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in her memory to the Moten Cemetery, and may be left at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer.
November 5, 2015 @ 12:02 pm
Susie,
I just loved Tressie. I met her in 1950 when Jack and I moved to Myatt Township near them. As you know, we were best friends. She saved my life in 1952, when she helped me after my infant son, Bobby Mitchell, passed away. Few friendships last 65 years. She was precious to me.
So sorry for your loss,
Rexine Fonzie Stewart
November 5, 2015 @ 7:46 pm
Susie your in our thoughts and prayers
June 26, 2021 @ 1:39 pm
I would like to contact Tressy’s family. We moved into a Little Rock house just 2-1/2 miles out of town when we first moved to Mammoth Springs in 1944. Tressy always made me feel a part of her life. She was a year behind me in school but we were always close. She married a cousin of a guy I dated a short time, Jim Michaels. I graduated from Mammoth Spring in 1946 and left that area back to Kansas City in 1947. My name is Eleanor Louise (Wheeler) Mazza and address is 150 W. Wise RD in Schaumburg, IL 60193.
Tressy kept me up on things over the years after Everett died and she had moved in town but as we both got older, our phone calls grew farther and farther apart as our lives grew apart as well. We are now in the Chicago area and will no doubt be anxious to get any response.