Ella McDowell

January 10, 1932 - June 1, 2016

On Wednesday, June 1, 2016 Mrs. Ella McDowell departed this life peacefully surrounded by her family. Ella was born to the late Samuel and Mary Jane Crawford on January 10, 1932 in Dillon, South Carolina. On September 19, 1953 Ella Crawford and John Mc Dowell were joined in Holy Matrimony in Paterson, New Jersey and this union was blessed with three sons and one daughter. Ella lived in Paterson for over 64 years and worked as an Electrical Tester for Universal Manufacture. She retired from Saint Joseph Medical Center as a Central Supply Coordinator. Ella was an excellent cook and shared many lessons with her children and grandchildren. Ella loved western movies, fishing, soap operas, baseball, and her favorite team was the New York Yankees. Ella moved to Virginia and attended Zion Apostolic Christian Memorial Temple, Petersburg, va. and Higher Learning Ministries. She was lovingly called “Big Momma” by all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and dolly babies. Her favorite eat out place was Captain D’s, and she would fuss to get to church on time and not miss any portion of the services. Ella was the greatest voting advocate and would share this quote to all of her dolly babies that they were “Just a growing season from picking cotton”….YOU BETTER GET OUT AND VOTE! Ella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John C. McDowell, her brother, John Wesley Bethea, and her sister, Annie Lee Thomas. She leaves to cherish her memory three sons, John Brady (Marlene), Chris (Ella), Glenn; one daughter, Phyllis Louise McDowell; six grandchildren, Andre, Keith, Shannon, Janelle, Chantae, and Glenn; eight great grandchildren, Kiki, Diamond, Ted, Sevon, Shannon Jr. (JayC), Jontae, Jordan, and Kaidyn; a host of nieces, nephews, “dolly babies” and friends. Ella’s loving spirit touched the multitude and will be missed by all who loved her. Her Life’s Reflections To see funeral service program, click on Memories/Memorial Program To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ella McDowell, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.