Although his grave marker records his middle name as "Peler" the public record records his middle name as "Peeler".

The Southern Star, Newton, AL, Wed. Aug 29, 1928

When a man lives out a long, useful, successful life in one community, it is difficult to give adequate expression to the sense of loss that overwhelms us at his passing. The varied activities and constructive enterprises which engage such an one make such an indellible[sic]impression upon community life, that time alone can supply the radical readjustments necessary, incident to his final departure from the walks of men.

In the death of Mr. Noel Peeler Dowling, our lovingly termed "Uncle Peeler," such a character has been removed from us. As youth, soldier, business man, churchman, exemplary citizen, counsellor and criterion his long life stands out as a beacon to guide and to beckon us all along life's tortuous pathway honorably and successfully.

Mr. Dowling was a native and lifelong citizen of Dale County and of Ozark. As a youth, with his elder brothers, he marched away in defense of that glorious, if brief, republic, the Confederate States of America. Only when the last hope had fled, and the terms of an inglorious peace had been forced upon the Republic, did he return to take up again the tangled threads of his broken youthful life.

Building from the ashes of the ante-bellum fortune of his family, by rugged honesty, sterling ability and grim determination he forged ahead to a place of esteem in his community, a place which he never relinquished, but which grew and grew with the years.

Moving to Ozark many years ago, he early identified himself with the business, social and religious life of the community until advancing years made necessary that he retire from active participation in affairs. For many years he was engaged in the mercantile business, earning success by his sterling honesty and great integrity. During this time, he became a member of the Board of the Planters & Merchants Bank and was still connected with this strong financial institution at the time of his death.

For more than 30 years he was chairman of the Board of Stewards of the M. E. Church, South and during all his busy life, he always found the time and the opportunity to render material service to his Church.

Mr. Dowling knew not the ways of guile nor dissemination, ruggedly honest himself, he never failed to have convictions on all important subjects and to express them. He was a life long democrat and preserver and defender of the faith even in the most trying periods of the history of this section.

Mr. Dowling, in the flesh, is dead and his body lies in the cemetery at dear old Claybank Church, which he loved so well and around which some of the dearest memories of his life clung. His spirit has returned to the God who gave it and to the rewards he so richly deserves for faithful service. But Mr. Dowling lives and will long live in the hearts and memories of those who had the great privilege of sowing him in life.

And those traits of character which were so positive, so clean and wholesome, so influencing will bear their impress upon this community for a long time to come.

When a man like this is called into the great beyond, there is great sorrow certainly but no doubts. He will be sorely missed, but the will be no misgivings about him. After all, such an end is the only one worth while. The greatest eulogy that may be said of him A GOOD MAN HAS GONE TO HIS REWARD.