Deaconess Vernell Davis McDowell

Mrs. Vernell Davis McDowell was born on September 4, 1950 to the late Deacon Jesse and Mrs. Matilda Williams Davis, in Aiken County, South Carolina.  She was the 10th child of 14, and was a source of enduring strength to her family, full of wisdom and compassion. 

Educated in the public schools of Aiken County, she was a proud graduate of the A.L. Corbett High School Class of 1968.  While at A.L. Corbett, she was a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court, helping to lead the Lady Lions to championship victories.

Mrs. McDowell was a strong lady, full of tenacity and determination.  She used her skills in the workforce, as a machinist at BAE Systems for many years.  During this time she met and made friends with many people and retired after nearly 4 decades of service.

Christmas was a very special time of the year for Mrs. McDowell, because in 1971 She married the love of her life Mr. Elvie McDowell on Christmas Day.  Their marriage was rooted in love and joy, and mirrored what the pages of a true love story would tell.  They were blessed to celebrate 54 years of marital bliss, and to their union were birthed the heartbeats of their life, Sherri Catina and Elvie, Jr.  They raised their children with integrity and compassion, and her children rise up and call her blessed, because she represents a Virtuous Woman as described in Proverbs 31.

Mrs. Vernell Davis McDowell left an indelible mark on so many lives, especially her family.  She loved her family with all of her heart and strength, and took great joy in spending holidays and special events with her family.  She was an extraordinary hostess and her family took great joy in celebrating Easter Sunday (and so many other special occasions) at the McDowell home.  Mrs. McDowell made sure the table was spread with delicious foods, and the children, as well as the adults, looked forward to her Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and wished for that special golden egg!

Mrs. McDowell was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, James, Jesse Jr, Elizabeth, Eartha Dell, Bernice, Hezekiah, Arthur Lee, Daniel, Dorothy, Juanita, and Lenard.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband Deacon Elvie McDowell, Sr. Her beloved children Sherri Walker and her husband Calvin Walker, Sr, and her son Mr. Elvie McDowell, Jr, and his wife Angela.  She was a devoted supporter and doting grandmother to DeMarkus Mealing, Jessika Walker, Kaylah Ginyard McDowell, Calvin Walker, Jr.,  Elvie McDowell, III, Ellis Percell McDowell and Destiny McKieve, as well as two great-grandchildren DeMarkus Mealing, Jr. and DeMari Mealing; her siblings, Deacon Melvin C. Davis, Sr and his wife Connie, Mrs. Sandra Simpkins, and a special niece, who was like a sister, Mablean Evans-Wise; three sister-in-laws, Reather Williams and her husband David, Carrie L. McDowell, Mildred Walker and her husband Rev. Jonas Walker, and a host of family and friends who will deeply miss her.

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