Mary Helen McDowell - spry2

 

Mary Helen McDowell age 97 of Athens  passed away Friday at her residence.

Mrs. McDowell was born August 28, 1923 in Oakman, Alabama. She was a graduate of Phillips High School and Howard College. Mrs. McDowell was formerly employed by the Alabama Baptist State Board.  She later was employed as a telephone operator in Sheridan, Illinois, and then as a teacher at Sheridan Elementary School, and then as English teacher at Newark Elementary and later a librarian. Mrs. McDowell was then employed at Silver Dollar City as well as Dollywood. She was a member of the Eastern Star, and a longtime member of the Baptist Church.

 

She is survived by: Daughters, Patsy (George) Stewart of Athens. Kathy (Darrell) Saylor of Newnan, Georgia. Son's, John (Linda) McDowell of Lakewood, Colorado. Jack McDowell of Lampe, Missouri. Eight Grandchildren, and fourteen Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in by: Parents, C.B. and Cora Sartain. Husband, John A. (Jack) McDowell. Great Granddaughter, Samantha Brooke King. Sisters, Jesse Josephine Sartain and Patsy Jane Sartain. Brother, Earl Leroy Sartain.

 

Services will be 12 noon Tuesday in the chapel of Spry Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Winchester and Rev. Joel Carwile officiating, burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 11 am until service time at Spry Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be, Ben Gary, Connelly Taylor, Lee Bradford, Jeff Glaze, Harlow Fikes, and Mike DaCruz. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Parker, Roy Turner, David Hannah, Tommy Hardison, Ewell Smith, Dave Johnson and Joel Glaze. The McDowell family would like to thank Debbie Tucker, Pam Humphrey, Margaret Ramsey, Thelda Mires, Lelah Handley and many more who cared for Mrs. McDowell.  

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Newark Fire Department in Newark, Illinois, or the Charles B. Phillips Library in Newark, Illinois.