Dexter Roy McDowell Sr.

Dexter Roy McDowell, Sr. went to his heavenly home on December 23, 2023, at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Dexter was born on September 30, 1955, to Florence Walker and the late Tweedell Exum, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
Dexter's family moved to Newport News, Virginia, when he was a child. He attended Newport News Public Schools and graduated from Ferguson High School in 1973. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army. When he left the Army, Dexter became a rigger at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He truly enjoyed his time with his shipyard co-workers. He retired from the shipyard as a Nuclear Rigger General Foreman. Dexter retired from the military and the shipyard with a total of 42 years of government service.
Dexter and Joyce met at their former church where he served as an usher. They later joined Calvary Community Church (C3). There, Dexter continued to grow in his faith and love of the Lord.
In his younger days, Dexter enjoyed playing basketball. He always enjoyed tinkering with gadgets and exploring new technology. Everyone who knows Dexter knows that he always wore a hat and that he loved the Miami Dolphins football team! Dexter loved to joke with his family and friends. He was truly a jokester and kept us laughing.
The most important quality about Dexter was the love he had for his immediate and extended family. He loved us all dearly. We could depend on him. If he made us a promise, it would be done. He was a family man who supported his family in excellence until the very end. We will miss him.
Dexter leaves behind his wife of 16 years, Joyce Hall McDowell; children Nicole (Norris) Cantrell; Dexter McDowell, Jr.; Alex McDowell; and Alexis (Dijon) Douglas. He loved his mother, Florence Walker. Dexter's grandchildren are Nyla Cantrell, Nneena Cantrell, Norris Cantrell, III, and Zuri Douglas. Dexter's siblings include Bernard (Diane) Carney, Angelia Carney, Rhonda P. (Daniel) Lash, Oliver (Angela) Williams, Ronald Exum, and Keith Exum. Dexter's stepfather is David Walker.
Dexter also loved Joyce's children Michael Napper and Christopher (Nicky) Napper; and her grandchildren, Micah and Michael Napper III, Cadence and Sayvion Napper. He was especially fond of his cousins Wayne, Ann, and Chiquita McDowell.
Dexter was preceded in death by his sisters Beverly Carney and Denise McDowell.
(Due to the late burial, the family asks for donations to Calvary Community Church – C3 Kids instead of flowers.)
Viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel. Viewing also will be held from 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service starting at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Calvary Community Church. Interment will be in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery.
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