Barbara Ann McDowell, 85 years of age, of Grant, Alabama passed into the arms of Jesus Monday night, July 15 at home with her daughter at her side.
Barbara was born in the hills of Kentucky in 1938 to William and Nannie Tyra King. She was the 7th of nine children. Life on the farm was physically hard as she and her siblings helped grow, pick and preserve their own food. The older children always helped care for the younger ones and the family was full of love for each other and their neighbors. God and church was an integral part of their lives. Barbara gave her life to the Lord and was baptized at the age of 16.
Barbara graduated from Tyner High School in 1957. She went to work at the REAA Electric Co-op as a secretary. She was soon introduced to Johnny McDowell and they married in 1960. They moved to Dayton, Ohio for better work and made their home there.
Barbara worked for Old Colony Envelope as a machine operator for 19 years till the company closed. She then had a 20 year career with Walmart and retired from there.
Two children were born to this marriage: Patricia Lynne and John Sanford. Even though Barbara and Johnny divorced after 10 years, they both worked to raise their children with love and support.
In 1995, Barbara left Ohio to move to New Hampshire to live with her daughter and family. She was an integral part of their life and the raising of two grandsons. She then moved to Alabama with them in 2004 and was happy to be back in the South. She went on many adventures with her family – cruise to Mexico, parents weekend in Colorado Springs, Co, many basketball and football games and many trips to the beach. She was known to all as Grandma Barb. She lived out her final years looking out at the lake and enjoying the beauty of their little cove.
Barbara was a member of Arab First Baptist church. She loved the Lord and often read her bible. She loved watching Tom Brady play football, was an avid reader and was famous for her Buckeye Balls.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend William King and Nannie Tyra King, her siblings: Bill King, Christine Hensley, Grace Allen, Genevieve Chakour , Jesse King, Fred King and Roy King. She also lost her son, John Sanford McDowell in 2009.
Barbara is survived by her daughter Patricia Graham and son-in-law Rick Graham, her brother Rex King (Lydia) of Yatesville, GA, her grandchildren – Jon Evens of Chico, CA, Lake Graham (Laney) of Leeds, AL, Skyler Graham (Allie) of Birmingham, AL, Jacob McDowell (Taylor) of Lawton, MI and Miranda McDowell of Lawton, MI and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
She also had five great grandchildren: Lucy Claire Graham, Luke Woodson Graham, Paisley Mae McDowell, Annie Grace Graham and Olivia Grace McDowell.
Barbara will be dearly missed by her family and a host of friends from the midwest, northeast and the south. She left a legacy of love and generosity that will be hard to match.
We will celebrate the life of Grandma Barb on Saturday, July 27th at Guntersville Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be at 10:30 am with the service starting at 11:00 am. Officiant will be Reverend Don McMurry, Fayetteville, GA. A luncheon will follow.
Donations may be made to Shepard’s Cove Hospice. They wonderfully helped with Grandma Barb’s care and we are so thankful.
