Louise (Pickering) McDowell

Louise Pickering McDowell, 98, of Florence and Moulton, Alabama passed away peacefully in Moulton on May 3. There will be a graveside service at Greenview Memorial on Tuesday, May 6 at 1:00 PM with Chris Underwood officiating. Friends and family will gather at the graveside at 12:30 PM. 

She is survived by her children, Louisa McDowell Sanders (Max) and James Ray McDowell, as well as her grandchildren Maria Sanders Ingram (Ryan) and Russ Sanders (Melissa). She has four great-grandchildren: Taylor Ingram, Connor Ingram, Zoey Sanders and Lucy Sanders. 

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 52 years James Anderson McDowell, her parents J.T. and May Pickering, her beloved brother James Pickering (Ann), and her daughter-in-law Shirley Thomas McDowell. 

Louise was born in Anderson, South Carolina and lived in South Carolina for many years. She attended Erskine College and Mars Hill College and graduated with a degree in Religious Education. She was sent from her home church in South Carolina to Alabama to conduct Vacation Bible Schools and train others to lead them. In Spruce Pine she met the love of her life, James McDowell. They were married on August 22, 1948 and were married for 52 years when he passed away. They had a strong commitment to God and were dedicated to church work such as teaching Sunday School classes. They were part of the group that started Forest Hills Baptist Church and spent many years at Highland Baptist and First Baptist Church of Florence. Louise loved teaching preschool, both religious and secular, and worked at Maud Lindsay Free Kindergarten, Highland’s WEE School, and at one time had a preschool in her house. Children were naturally drawn to her, and she would write songs for them to sing and loved helping them make crafts. 

Louise and James were inseparable, enjoying their retirement years going antiquing, reading and doing their daily Bible devotionals, volunteering at church, visiting the library and spending time with family. They were devoted parents and grandparents and are remembered fondly.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at NHC Healthcare in Moulton. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in memory of Louise McDowell to the Alzheimer’s Association or any charity of your choice.

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