Virginia McDowell

1927 - 2022

KERSHAW - Funeral services for Virginia Williams McDowell, 94, of Kershaw will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the chapel of Baker Funeral Home. The Rev. Bryant D. Fersner will officiate.

Burial will follow in the McDowell family plot in Kershaw City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

Mrs. McDowell, widow of James J. McDowell Sr., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022.

Born in Charlotte, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Major William Greene Williams and Miriam Esther "Essie" Moretz Williams. She grew up in Lancaster. Virginia and her late brother, Bill, were raised on White Street in the now famous Kilburnie, which is the oldest standing residence in Lancaster.

Virginia was a 1946 graduate of the University of South Carolina and was a teacher in the Kershaw area school system for 27 years. She began teaching at the age of 19 and never stopped. She tutored many children after she retired from formal teaching. She was a dedicated wife and mother to her boys and supported every activity they were involved in. Mrs. McDowell loved gardening and was involved and active in the Kershaw Garden Club. Her pride and joy in gardening were her lovely azaleas and dogwoods in her yard. Her yard was a true showplace every spring.

She was a talented bridge player and spent numerous happy hours around her bridge table with her friends. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting and in her later years could always be found sitting on her porch with her dog, Lily, in her lap, knitting a scarf for anyone who asked.

Mrs. McDowell was an avid sports fan and loved to watch her boys play football and basketball. She enjoyed all of Alex's many scouting achievements. She also enjoyed many trips to Clemson to see the Tigers play and the McDowell yearly family gatherings at the Carolina Cup races.

Most importantly, she was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher and friend to all.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory two sons, Dr. James J. McDowell Jr. and his wife, Mary, and Col. Alexander M. McDowell and his wife, Mary; four grandchildren, Jane McDowell and her fiance, Shannon Hindman, Jeff McDowell and his wife, Rachel, Elizabeth McDowell and David McDowell and his wife, Kelly; and four great-grandchildren, Aidan, Emilia, Hunter and Logan McDowell.

Memorial remembrances in her memory may be made to Kershaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 611, Kershaw, SC 29067; or Kershaw Area Resource Exchange, P.O. Box 364, Kershaw, SC 29067.

Baker Funeral Home is serving the McDowell family. www.bakerfunerals.com