DATE: Wednesday, November 19, 1997          TAG: 9711190438

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: BOYKINS                           LENGTH:   41 lines

CHARLES M. MCDOWELL

Charles Monroe ``Mac'' McDowell, 76, a retired Virginia funeral director and a resident of Boykins, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1997, in Franklin.

A native of Chicago, he was the son of the late Charles B. and Corrine Calvert McDowell.

Shortly before the start of World War II, Mr. McDowell moved to Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater during the war, receiving numerous decorations including the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, seven Overseas Service Bars, and three Bronze Stars. Returning from the war, he married Barbara Goelz and the couple moved to Boykins in 1953 to work in the funeral home operated by H.M. Purviance and son. He purchased the business in 1954 and he and Barbara were the co-owners of McDowell Funeral Home, Boykins, for 39 years, retiring in 1993. Mr. McDowell was a longtime member of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and he had served as president of the Tidewater Funeral Directors Association.

``Mac,'' as he was affectionately known to friends and family, was active and dedicated to the affairs of his community throughout his life. He was a member and past master of the Boykins Masonic Lodge No. 287, A.F. & A.M.; a member and former deacon o the Boykins Baptist Church; a charter member of the Boykins Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad; a member of the Boykins American Legion Post, the Boykins Lions Club and the Severn, N.C. Ruritan Club. He served as treasurer of the Town of Boykins for 23 years.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara G. McDowell; two daughters, Charlene McDowell Dean and her husband, Mike, of Chesapeake, Barbette McDowell Porter and her husband, Max, of Courtland; five grandchildren, Jason McDowell Dean, Marcie Elizabeth Dean, Michael Tyler Dean, Quinton McDowell Porter, Calvert Miles Porter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in Boykins Baptist Church by the Revs. Benjamin Thomas and Kenneth Williams. Burial with Masonic rites will be in Beechwood Cemetery, Boykins. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Purviance Funeral Home, Boykins, and other times at the residence. Memorial donations may be made to the Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 849, Salem, Va. 24153, or to the Boykins Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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