Frances Witcher McDowell

Frances Witcher "Dowell" McDowell, most recently of Smyrna, Georgia passed away peacefully Saturday morning- a little over a week shy of her 101st birthday- with her two surviving children, Angeline (Angie) McDowell Kringel, of Fairfield, CT, and Wm. James (Skeeter) McDowell of Powder Springs, GA. at her bedside. Frances was born and raised in Newnan, GA, and moved to Atlanta after her marriage to Clifford Harold McDowell. She later moved to East Point, GA after the untimely death of her husband, where she owned and operated her own childcare business and raised her family of four children as a single mother. Frances was active member in East Point Christian, Westside Christian and, most recently, Peachtree Christian Church. She was a longtime member and former president of the local Pilot Club for professional women. An avid traveler, Frances enjoyed excursions with the Pilot Club, church groups, friends and family, most recently traveling with her youngest sister, Eleanor, to discover their ancestral roots in Scotland. Of all the places, she traveled, and all the sites she saw, perhaps her most enjoyed and talked about trip was the one she took to Australia. Known as "Dowell" to the many children of East Point who were fortunate to fall under her care, Frances found a constant source of pride and joy in the fact that most of her "nursery children" kept in touch with her for her the rest of her life; in many cases, she cared for the “children” of her earlier “children,” and was considered extended family by them all. Frances loved caring for her grandchildren on weekends; she made sure that all of them knew that Sunday mornings were for Sunday School and church, followed by her Sunday lunches. Known for her green thumb, Frances enjoyed time working in her flowerbeds, and later, those of her grandchildren. She never encountered a plant she couldn't nurse back to full health. Frances was the third of nine children born to Amelia and Brewer Witcher, of Newnan, GA. She is survived by her sisters Jenelle Watson of Montgomery, AL, and Eleanor Bridges of Sharpsburg, GA, two of her four children, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckoon.com. Frances was predeceased by her husband, Clifford Harold McDowell, Sr., and two of her children, Clifford Harold McDowell, Jr., and Lillie McDowell Joyner. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of McKoon Funeral Home 38 Jackson St. Newnan, GA 30263 with Rev. Bob Tyler officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at McKoon Funeral Home. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580.

Frances Witcher McDowell

April 4, 1916 - March 25, 2017