Leland (Lea) Anderson Lewis Dowd of Perry, Georgia passed away on Thursday, July 20, 2017 in Columbus at Gentiva Hospice at the age of 65.  Lea was born in Columbus, Georgia to the late Jeanne Anderson Lewis and the late Robert Magruder Lewis, Jr.  She attended Columbus High School and Bauder Fashion College in Miami, Florida. Her talents and accomplishments were diverse.

An avid lover of horses, she was active in the harness racing community for over three decades.  She was an excellent markswoman who enjoyed duck and goose hunting.  She was proficient in sign language and taught swimming to the deaf. She played the twelve string guitar beautifully, passing a love of music and song on to her daughters, Lisa and Lauren.  She will be remembered for her fabulous recipes and love of entertaining.

Also a published genealogist, some of her work is included in three publications on Linwood Cemetery. Her love of research and horses led to her interest in equine autoimmune diseases and the development of Immune Technologies, Inc. where she served as President.

She is survived by two daughters: Lisa Dowd of Grinnell, Iowa and Lauren Bachmann (Ron) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two sisters: Laura Rutland and Linda Jackson (Lee) of Columbus, Georgia; sister-in-law Lawrie Lewis of Warm Springs, Georgia; five grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Sean) Young of Charleston, South Carolina, Eric Trate and Kevin Trate of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Sarah Dowd of Perry, Georgia, and Aidan Disburg of Colorado Springs, Colorado; several nieces and nephews including niece Robbin McKissic (James) of Smiths Station, Alabama and special family friend Molly Jackson of Upatoi, Georgia.

Other than her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Robert Magruder Lewis, III, and uncle, James Edward Anderson.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no funeral services. Memorials may be made to Historic Linwood Foundation, Springer Theatre, and Paws Humane.

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