Ernestine Walker McDowell was truly a great woman of honor, faith and integrity. She was the wife of Reverend Edward Homer McDowell for nearly 70 years. Mrs. Ernestine McDowell passed peacefully from this life on the evening of August 3, 2019. She devoted her life to taking care of her family and loved life and fought valiantly for it. She was surrounded and supported by her loving family and caregivers, Yvonne Carter and Sammie Marshall, during the last two years of her life. She was loved by her family, friends and community beyond measure and will greatly be missed. Mrs. McDowell was born in Greenville on May 21, 1932 to the late James Maxie Walker and Jurdie Mae Williams. She was educated in the public schools of Greenville County. She was a registered LPN, retired as the Activity Director of National Health Care and was a Daughter ISIS. A Christian woman, she was a member of the United Methodist Church, serving in many organization, following and supporting her husband as he served as pastor in several churches in the South Carolina Conference. Upon retirement as 45 plus years of ministry, Reverend E. H. and Ernestine McDowell then joined Emmanuel United Methodist Church. She touched the lives of many through her music, church participation and always greeted everyone with a huge warm smile. Mom never met a stranger and was selfless in her acts of kindness toward others. She is survived by: four children, Rev. Edward (Jeannie) Jr. of Columbia, Rev. Julius Lavonia of Charleston, Elaine Gertrude (Carl) Miller of Myrtle Beach and Elizabeth Kay (Ben – deceased) Jakes of Decatur, GA; first cousin, Sue Carol James of Cincinnati, OH, who was like a sister; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 1008 Dover Circle, Sumter. Homegoing Services will be held 11:00 O’Clock in the Morning, Thursday, August 8, 2019 from the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 401 South Main Street, Sumter, with the Rev. Marvis L Steward, pastor, presiding, the Rev. Edward Honer McDowell, Jr. and the Rev. Julius Lavonia McDowell, eulogists. The Remains will be placed in the church at 10 a. m. The funeral procession will leave the home at 10:30 a. m. Burial will be in the Hillside Memorial Park, 3001 Cains Mill Road, Sumter.
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