Long-time Winchester teacher, former Mary Sharp Elementary School principal and former City of Winchester Councilwoman, Suzanne Corwin McDowell, age 90, of Winchester, TN, passed away at home Thursday, April 22, 2021, with her loving son and care giver, Michael, close by.
Suzanne was born in Massillon, OH, on May 7, 1930, to the late William Thomas and Irene N. Corwin. She graduated high school as salutatorian in Beaver Falls, PA, then moved with her family to Harlingen, TX, where she attended and graduated magna cum laude from Texas A and I in Kingsville, TX. It was there where she met and married Clyde H. (Mackie) McDowell, and moved to Winchester in 1955. They enjoyed their marriage lasting more than 60 years until Mackie’s passing in February 2017.
Her lifelong passion of education as an elementary school teacher started in Harlingen, Texas. After Suzanne and Mackie moved to Franklin County, she continued teaching young children during the 1950’s as a substitute teacher and, some 40 years later, concluded her devotion to educating the youth of Winchester/ Franklin County having come out of retirement twice to return as a temporary teacher. Her tenure at Mary Sharp Elementary School originated as a teacher, subsequently becoming principal of the school. During her lengthy teaching career, she taught children and even the grandchildren of some of her original students.
During her professional journey, she obtained a Master’s of Education from Middle Tennessee State University.
She was a proud long time member of Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW). Following final retirement from teaching, Suzanne pursued many past times, including playing bridge, participating in social organizations such as Red Hats and was a long-time member of the Franklin County Country Club, which her late father-in-law, Clyde H. McDowell, Sr. had helped found.
Having a strong thirst for being first, Suzanne enjoyed new challenges and was known as a trailblazer. At the age of 61, she became the first woman City of Winchester Council member in September 1991 and served in various roles until August 2003. She twice came back in 2013 and 2014 to complete unfulfilled terms.
During her service in this role, she occasionally accompanied City of Winchester police officers on nighttime patrols to better understand the things they encountered while performing their jobs. It was always an interesting story having an almost 70-year-old grandmother discuss what she had witnessed or encountered during her nighttime patrol observations.
Both she and Mackie were decades long members of First United Methodist Church of Winchester and both enjoyed singing in the Chancery Choir for many years.
In whatever position Suzanne served during her lifetime, she was a mentor, supporter, advocate, stoic voice of reason and a natural, enthusiastic leader.
Suzanne is survived by her brother, Charles Corwin of Decherd, Tn (wife, Brigetta Corwin), sons, Michael Mims McDowell and Mark C. McDowell (wife, Catherine McDowell), along with two grandsons, Matthew Mulloy McDowell and James Morgan McDowell and cousins Allison Arnold, Ceree Eberly, Lessie Miller, and Nelson Tate.
Private services are planned.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any of the following organizations:
Animal Harbor Animal Shelter
56 Non-Nan Road
Winchester, TN 37398
Franklin County Public Library
105 S. Porter Street
Winchester, TN 37398
Adoration Hospice Foundation
545 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN37228.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222
