Individual Details

Marriage

The engagement of Amanda Dowdy and Toby Furr, both of Conway, is being announced today. Miss Dowdy is a daughter of Kathy Gronke of Greenbrier and Dewayne Dowdy of El Paso (White County). Mr. Furr is a son of Mary Ann Cooksey of Conway and Tommy Furr of Mayflower. The bride-elect is a granddaughter of Bethel Dowdy and the late Elvie Dowdy and Verlie and Ralph Burroughs, all of Damascus. Miss Dowdy is a 1995 honor graduate of Greenbrier High School. She attended the University of Central Arkansas, where she was on the Dean's List. Miss Dowdy is a May 2001 graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she received a bachelor's degree in cardio-respiratory care. The bride-elect is a respiratory therapist at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. Mr. Furr is a grandson of Irene Linn and the late Rex Linn and Nina Furr and the late George Washington Furr, all of Conway. He is a 1995 graduate of Conway High School and is rental coordinator at Hugg and Hall Equipment in Conway. Miss Dowdy and Mr. Furr are to be married at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at First Baptist Church in Greenbrier. Friends and family are invited. The Log Cabin Democrat, August 12, 2001 Amanda Dowdy of Greenbrier became the bride of Toby Furr of Conway at 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 25, 2001) at First Baptist Church in Greenbrier. The bride is a daughter of Cathy Gronke of Greenbrier and Dewayne Dowdy of El Paso (White County). The groom is a son of Mary Ann Cooksey of Conway and Tommy Furr of Mayflower. Jim Atkinson of Greenbrier performed the double-ring ceremony. The altar was decorated with white columns adorned with large ferns and ivy. Two nine-branched candelabras decorated with ivy and laced with white tulle and white roses were placed on either side of the altar. Two large ficus trees with white twinkle lights and tulle graced each side of the altar. The columns were entwined with white tulle, white lights and ivy which were placed on the altar floor. White organza bows with ivy and clusters of white roses marked the family pews. The entry table held a bouquet of yellow roses, stock and greenery. A white basket held birdseed and bubbles. The bride's book was placed on an antique, cutwork cloth. Morgan Linn of Springdale, cousin of the groom, distributed birdseed and bubbles. Linda Atkinson of Greenbrier presented piano selections. A bridal chorus presented a vocal selection, "We've Only Just Begun." Candles were lighted by Rich Gronke of Greenbrier, stepfather of the bride, and Shane Cooksey of Atkins (Pope County), stepbrother of the groom. Mr. Dowdy escorted his daughter to the altar to "The Wedding March." The bride wore a white, slipper satin dress with a fitted bodice encrusted with seed pearls. The dress was fashioned with a scalloped neckline, cap sleeves and a continuation of scallops to a V in the back. The skirt was gathered by a large white bow just below the V, which fell into a flowing train encrusted with white seed pearls. The bride's veil consisted of layers of chiffon attached to a tiara of sparkling crystals. The bride's jewelry consisted of a garnet and topaz bracelet, a gift from the groom. The bride wore a pearl necklace with a pearl teardrop pendant. The bride carried a bouquet of yellow and white Virginia roses. The hand-tied bouquet was surrounded by leather leaf and fern and wrapped with white satin ribbon. Angie Dowdy of Greenbrier was her sister's maid of honor and Kristi McGee of Marion (Crittenden County) was a bridesmaid. The attendants wore full-length, buttercup yellow dresses of chiffon over satin. The dresses featured empire waistlines and square necklines. Both attendants wore a flowing, sheer chiffon shawl over their shoulders. Hand-tied rose bud bouquets of yellow and white were carried by the attendants. Ringbearer was Taylor Furr of Sherwood, nephew of the groom. Flower girls were Maggie Furr of Sherwood, niece of the groom, and Haley Maxwell of Wooster, niece of the bride. Jay Lucy of Conway acted as best man. Groomsman was Matt Raup of Little Rock. Ushers were Shane Cooksey of Atkins, stepbrother of the groom, and Jerry Dowdy of Fayetteville, cousin of the bride. The mothers were escorted by the groom and lit the mother's candle. A reception followed at the church. Assisting at the reception were Kristy Watson, Angela Sharrick, and Sandy Dowdy, cousin of the bride, and Allison Linn, cousin of the groom. All are of Conway. Misty Sheppard of Conway presided at the bride's book. A white antique cutwork cloth was placed on the bride's table. The bride's cake consisted of three cascading tiers placed on crystal pedestals and decorated with yellow and white roses. Crystal appointments were used on the bride's table. The sparkling wedding punch was served from a silver punch bowl. An identical cloth was placed on the groom's table. The groom's cake was made by his maternal grandmother and maternal great-aunt from his favorite recipe. The layered chocolate cake had chocolate-dipped strawberries on each layer. An open, scalloped watermelon held cantaloupe, grapes, orange wedges and bananas. A floral arrangement in a cut-glass vase consisted of yellow roses, leather leaf fern and white stock. After a trip to Cancun, Mexico, the couple are at home in Conway. A rehearsal dinner was held at the Fish House in Conway. The dinner was hosted by the groom's mother and stepfather and the groom's father and stepmother. Gifts were presented to the couple's attendants. The bride was honored at several prenuptial parties. A miscellaneous shower was held July 22 at the Conway home of Marilyn Whitley, aunt of the groom. Jerra Linn, aunt of the groom, served as co-hostess. Guests were served various dips and vegetables, spinach dip, tortilla roll-ups, nuts and mints from crystal bowls along with golden punch. The table was covered with a white antique cutwork cloth over a yellow cloth. Crystal bowls were used as serving pieces. The hostess gift was flatware. Special guests included the mothers of the couple and the maternal grandmother of the groom. On Aug. 4, Sue Clay of Wooster, aunt of the bride, hosted a shower. Martha Bennett of Wooster was co-hostess. The buffet table was decorated with rose garlands. Refreshments included cheeseballs, dips and chips, finger sandwiches and punch. The hostess gift was a set of covered serving dishes. Special guests were the mothers of the couple and the paternal grandmother of the bride.
The Log Cabin Democrat, September 30, 2001

Death

Toby Furr, 27, born Robert Thomas on January 22, 1977, died Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at a local hospital of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Toby was employed with Molex of Maumelle where he was an Assembly Specialist. Toby Loved his family and friends and his music and motorcycling. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Nina Furr, Rex Linn and Ben Cooksey. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Mary Ann and Joe Cooksey of Conway; his father and step-mother, Tommy and Barbara Furr of Mayflower; his sister, Gretchen Thorn and husband, Heath of Sherwood; brother, Shane Cooksey of Morrilton; Grandmothers, Irene Linn of Conway and Lois Cooksey of Morrilton; his nephews and niece, Taylor, Maggie and Zeb; and a special friend, Stephanie Mikel of Conway and many friends and family. The family will receive friends in the chapel of Griffin Leggett-Conway, from 6pm until 8pm Friday, April 30, 2004. A Gathering of Remembrance will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, May 1, 2004, in the Chapel of Griffin Leggett-Conway Funeral Home, with Mr. Keith Camp officiating; burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park, by Griffin Leggett-Conway Funeral Home, 1751 Dave Ward Drive, Conway, Arkansas 72034, 501-327-5000. The family will be at 28 Hawthorne, Conway.