Carmen Fowler

CARMEN BELEN RODRIGUEZ FOWLER, 70, of Little Rock, passed peacefully from this earth Thursday and into the arms of many loved ones who had gone on before her. Waiting for her in heaven are her husband Jess Fowler, Ta-Ta, Titi Melin, Titi Tona, Tio Chago and Titi Jaunita, Tio Esteban and Titi Mina, PaPa, and Ita, Tio Frando, and cousins Guiso, Angeles, and Jaime. A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Carmen met and married an Arkansas sailor, Jess Fowler, and when the youngest of their four daughters entered school, she began a career in public service. Carmen worked in the Pulaski County Voter Registration office, while simultaneously completing her college degree from UALR on the night track and joined the staff of then-governor Bill Clinton. She was proud of her contribution to his office and accepted his invitation to continue her service in Washington, D.C., where she worked as Director of Presidential Messages. While working for the governor's office, she traveled numerous times to Latin countries on behalf of the governor and made three ambassador-working trips to Bolivia with the Partners of the Americas. Wishing to continue living in the big city, where her mastery of languages and knowledge of various countries was stimulated, she accepted a position working in the office of James Lee Whitt, former president of FEMA. She excelled in her position and lent a sharp eye and a different perception while planning for potential emergencies. She was physically present at multiple flood and hurricane scenarios around the country. Her calm demeanor and conviction to her job found her sleeping on a cot in the command center during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in order to protect the cherished computers from looting in Bogalusa, La., where she was stationed after she and other FEMA workers were denied entry into New Orleans. The first three days, she survived on rations dropped down by the US Coast Guard. In addition to her role as president of Partners of the Americas, Arkansas - East Bolivia partnership, she was a Girl Scout leader, a member of the North Little Rock Jaycees, the League of United Latin America Countries, St. Edward's Catholic Church, and served on the Goodwill of Arkansas Board of Directors. This spunky, vivacious woman, daughter, mother, aunt, and grandmother didn't squander any of her time on earth. She lived every minute to the fullest and regularly traveled with her childhood friends Lordas, Elba and Yvonne to far-flung destinations including Russia and China. Spending time with her family, however, was what brought Carmen the most joy. She delighted in family gatherings and spent as much time as she possibly could with her grandchildren who relished riding in an airplane to visit their "Mema." She is survived by her parents, Miguel and Carmen Rodriguez of Ponce, Puerto Rico, her four daughters, Jeannie Stone (Tim), of Russellville, Debbie Spikes Koon (Randy), of Little Rock, Jo Elizabeth Dockins (Randy), of Charlotte, N.C., and Valerie (Carl) Dionne of Honolulu, Hawaii. She leaves 13 grandchildren: Michael Stone of Fayetteville, Tim, Carter and Caroline Stone, of Russellville, Jennifer Spikes, of Little Rock, Madison Spikes, Jessie Mitchell, of Little Rock, Corey Hern, of Little Rock, James Nicklaus and Anthony Dockins, of Charlotte, N.C., Amber Willems, of Conway, Chris Willems, of Hilo, Hawaii, and Corrina Shaw, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and seven great grandchildren; Alexis, Joseph, Briana, Bruno, Bentley, Angel, and Kanoelani. She is also survived by her beloved brother Ernesto Rodriguez and his wife Anarda and Carmen's nieces, nephew Ernie (Debbie), Patricia (Jimmy), Nardy, and a host of grand nieces and nephews and cousins and very special friends Fernando and Steff Padilla. Carmen left a great legacy of love and her noble character continued to shine during her two-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. She expressed a joy for life, an enigmatic optimism that never faltered, a deep trust in Jesus, endless patience, and she exuded kindness to all. A memorial rosary will be held Monday at 6 p.m. and a funeral mass on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Little Rock. Burial will be held immediately after mass at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock and a Memorial Lunch will be served following the services at the church parish hall. Memorials may be sent to St. Edward's Catholic Church, 801 Sherman St., Little Rock, Ark., 72802, or Partners of the Americas, c/o Dr. Paul Noland, Treasurer, 2190 Manor Dr., Fayetteville, Ark., 72701. She is also survived by her beloved brother Ernesto Rodriguez and his wife Anarda, and Carmen's nieces, nephew Ernie (Debbie), Patricia (Jimmy), Nardy and a host of grand nieces and nephews and cousins. Carmen left a great legacy of love and her noble character continued to shine during her two-year battle with Multiple Myeloma. She expressed a joy for life, an enigmatic optimism that never faltered, a deep trust in Jesus, endless patience, and she exuded kindness to all.