Eva Barber Dowd

Eva Barber Dowd was a caregiver in the truest sense of the word.

Born in Moore County near Carthage, she grew up with a deep connection to the land and her family, both remaining close to her heart all her life. This affection led her to a career in nursing. Her training as a registered nurse brought hope and healing to her patients, first at Moore County Hospital (now Moore Regional), and later working with private clients and family. After marrying Henry Dowd, the manager of C. Louis Meyer farm and nursery, she turned her nurturing gifts to horticulture. Many homes in the Sandhills still have the bones of the gardens she helped Henry design. Eva’s garden around her home was a magical tangle of unusual plants or shrubs. She was always excited to share heirloom plants she’d grown from cuttings, and you seldom left without several pots of unique plants for your own garden.

Eva’s patience, kindness, and wisdom were her gift, mixed in with humor and laughter, and a healthy dose of no-nonsense when necessary. She unfailingly put the needs of others ahead of herself. The back door was always unlocked, there was usually a homemade pound cake on the counter, and regardless of what she was doing made time to listen to someone’s story of hurt, worry, or joy.

Eva’s gift for caring found many avenues of expression. Stray dogs inevitably found her back door, and inevitable never left. Children, her own and the children of others, knew that “the Little House” was always a wonderful place for play and adventure. There was always room for one more at the table for supper. Her patients knew that she was their advocate: she would do whatever it took to get them back on their feet. She would never sugar coat anything, but somehow you knew it would turn out alright because Eva was there.

While nursing and horticulture were the two most obvious outlets for Eva’s energies and talents, her caring nature was expressed in every aspect of her life. She was an encourager, a supporter of other’s dreams. She always attempted to see the good in people and situations even when things might not have looked promising. She knew that everyone had their struggles, and that patience and a kind word would do more good than one might imagine. She truly cared for others and their well-being, whether it was a patient, a plant, a pet, or another human being. She was a caregiver in the truest sense of the word.