Virginia Elaine Dowd, 89, went to her eternal rest October 7, 2022 from Ascension St. John Medical Center Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ginger married Orval Kelly Dowd, Jr, on May 29, 1954. Their children are Catheryn Lynn Kutsch (Thomas), Darlene Janette Sandifer (Richard), David Neil Dowd (Jennifer), Michael Kelly Dowd (Crystal), and Stephen William Dowd (Marjorie). Their grandchildren are Joshua Sandifer, Madison, Sheridan, Stevie, Harry, Cacky, and Hane Dowd. Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, sister Carol Jones, her daughter, Catheryn Kutch, and stepmother Grace Forrest.

Ginger was born May 29,1933 to William Basil and Catherine Mary McCandlish (Russell) Forrest in Chicago, Illinois. As a child she had difficulty pronouncing her name. So, when asked her name, she would reply, "Virginger." So, throughout her life she was known by the shortened form, Ginger. Ginger attended elementary and middle schools in Arlington Heights, IL and Tulsa Central High School. She studied at Oklahoma A & M (OSU) for three years then transferred to The University of Tulsa where she received her Bachelor of Science degree. While at OSU she pledged and was initiated into Delta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity.

Following her completion of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology Ginger trained and later worked in St. John, Tulsa laboratory. She chose another career as Mom until she went to the Phillips Petroleum Medical Department laboratory to allow Kelly to finish his education. She did this while caring for three children and maintaining their home. Following a transfer to Borger, Texas she was employed by the Coronado Hospital Clinical Pathologist in Pampa, Texas. During that time she passed the examination for histology. She achieved certification by The National Society for Histotechnology. Ginger often said her career in medical technology was rewarding but the job she enjoyed most was as cashier at Swinney's Hardware after her retirement.Ginger was a woman of the Word, a member of the First Church Tulsa as a youth, as a sixteen year old a charter member of John Knox Presbyterian Church, and helpmate of the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Chouteau during the last twenty-five years of her life. She read the Bible cover to cover many times and three devotional subscriptions every morning. Her prayer life was exemplary. She loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Ginger had the heart of a servant, always caring for the other. Her financial aid to worthy missions, John 3:16 Mission, Salvation Army, Boys Town, Samaritans Purse, and others surpassed the comfort zone of most. Her heaviest contribution was ten frozen Butterball turkeys to John 3:16 Mission every year at Thanksgiving.

Ginger would want her family to show their gratitude to three caregivers who were special to her. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Shay Freeman, RN, Kim Hoffman and Tammy Cook, Therapists for their loving, compassionate, and comforting care for Ginger.

A Memorial for Ginger Dowd will be held

November 12,2022 at 2:00pm

First Presbyterian Church

Chouteau, Oklahoma

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to

John 3:16 Mission