REV. DR. RAY MCDOWELL

May 10, 1926 - December 4, 2009

Anderson, SC- Reverend Sidney Ray McDowell, age 83, resident of Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Center, formerly of Morningside Assisted Living, husband of Hilda Thomas McDowell, died Friday, December 4, 2009 at the Rainey Hospice House.
 
Born in Belton, SC, he was a son of the late Sidney Burt McDowell and Lessie Clamp McDowell.  He was educated at Anderson Boy’s High, Anderson College, Furman University and Erskine Seminary.  He was ordained as a Baptist minister at Triangle Baptist Church in Belton, SC. He went on to receive his Doctorate from International Seminary in Orlando, FL. Rev. McDowell’s pastorates included New Prospect Baptist Church in Hartwell, GA, Southside Baptist Church in Anderson, SC, Shiloh Baptist Church in Starr, SC, Congaree Baptist Church in St. Matthews, SC and Broadmouth Baptist Church in Honea Path, SC. He was also a member and the first pastor of Varennes Heights Baptist Church in Anderson, SC, which began as a mission in 1954.
 
He served as Treasurer and President of Tri-County Baptist Pastor’s Conference in Honea Path and was moderator of the Saluda Baptist Association, where he was active with various committees. Rev. McDowell served as a Mission Volunteer with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in the country of Honduras. Since his retirement in 1991, he was active in revivals, interim pastorates, and pulpit supply.
 
Rev. McDowell was a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a Paratrooper during World War II.
 
Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, Sidney McDowell of Anderson, daughter, Jean Martin and her husband Bill of Greenwood, SC; three grandchildren, Stacy Martin of Charlotte, NC, Jason Ray McDowell of Anderson, SC, and Jeffrey Martin and his wife Julie of Memphis, TN; and a great-granddaughter, Allison McDowell. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Cecil McDowell.
 
The Funeral Service will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at Varennes Heights Baptist Church officiated by Reverend Mark Dickson and Reverend Dr. Kirt Mitchell. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30pm-3:00pm on Sunday.
 
The family would like to thank the staff at Morningside Assisted Living, Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, Rainey Hospice House and Dr. Harry Morse for their care and concern. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, 4605 Belton Highway, Anderson, SC 29621.
 
A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com. The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.