Rutha Epps McDowell

LYNCHBURG – Rutha Epps McDowell, 66, wife of Jethro McDowell, died Nov. 18, 2006, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter.

Born Feb. 8, 1940, in Sumter, she was a daughter of Geneva Epps Wilson and the late Henry Epps. She accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Asbury United Methodist Church and later became a member of Step Off Faith Church in Sumter. She attended Johnson Elementary School.

Survivors include her mother, Geneva Epps Wilson of Lynchburg; husband, Jethro McDowell of the home; mother-in-law, Dessie McDowell of Lynchburg; one son, Jethro McDowell Jr. of Lynchburg; five daughters, Barbara (David) Wilson, Deloris McDowell, Delarrse (Roy Lee) McDowell, Phyllis (Dan) McCray, all of Lynchburg, Lena (Lee) McFadden of New Zion; thee adopted daughters, Lateika Burroughs of Columbia, Sharon Brown and Shamieka McDowell, both of Lynchburg; one brother, John (Mae) Epps of Washington, D.C.; four sisters, Dorothy (Harry) Brayboy, Clare Wilson and Neva Wilson, all of Lynchburg, and Betty Dewitt of Newark, N.J.; and 17 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, with Rev. Samuel Cooper, officiating, assisting the Rev. Dr. Andrew Gamble, Elder Zander Davis and Evangelist Rhonda Keels.

Burial was in Goodman Cemetery.

Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.