Alfred Dowe Sr. passed surrounded by family on September 23, 2026. He was 95. Mr. Dowe, affectionately known as “Skeet, taught in Roanoke City Public Schools for over 35 years including Northwest Elementary, Belmont Elementary, Grandin Court Elementary, and Lincoln Terrance Elementary.
Sports, music, service, faith, and family shaped Dowe’s early and adult years. He was a part of the Tri-State Basketball Championship team at GW Carver in 1949. He later excelled in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) at Fayetteville State University, where he lettered for 4 years in basketball. He and his two brothers were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and 1996, respectively.
Dowe was a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Salem, VA, where he was honored as Trustee Emeritus, after 30+ years of service. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, committee chair, and Usher But it was his commitment to music that motivated his involvement with 4 choirs/choruses at Shiloh, and close to 30 years with the Harmonizing Crescendos, a Roanoke Valley based gospel group.
After receiving his master’s degree from Columbia University in New York City, Dowe served in the Army in 1952 but was medically discharged during the Korean War. That seed of ‘service’ was later inspired in the Roanoke Valley, upon his return. Dowe volunteered for several organizations within the City of Roanoke, Salem, and Roanoke County, serving on numerous boards, including multiple terms as the President of the Fairland Civic Organization.
He also faithfully supported Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, through the Gamma Alpha Chapter in Roanoke. Dowe chaired several committees and was awarded numerous awards at the chapter, district, and international levels, including “Omega Man of the Year.”
However, the most important commitment for Dowe was that as a husband, father, grandfather, and sibling. He was the youngest of fourteen children and met his bride, Blanche Sills, while at Fayetteville State. Their union created Gale and Alfred Jr. and three grandchildren, Dante, Roderick, and Karen. Even in his last days, he encouraged his family to ‘grow in unity, stay together, and take care of one another.”
Dowe was awarded several prestigious awards within the city, including, but not limited to. Teacher of the Year, Father of the Year, VoluAnteer of the Year, Citizen of the Year (nominee), and Civic Leader of the Year. He was loved, respected, and treasured by city and state officials, former students, colleagues, community leaders, fraternity brothers, and many others. He will be greatly missed by those same people.
