Billy Joe McDowell

Billy Joe McDowell, 85, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at a Chattanooga healthcare facility. He was born September 8, 1927 to Ira and Edith McDowell. After graduating from Bradley Central High School, he joined the US Navy and served our country during World War II aboard the aircraft carrier Midway in the Pacific Theatre. He was a mail carrier with the US Postal Service and enjoyed playing golf during time off. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland. A lifelong resident of Cleveland, he was a kind and gentle man who was a friend to all who knew him. Billy Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Edith McDowell; brother, Ronnie McDowell; brothers-in-law, Carl Scott, Paul Storm, and James McClanahan; and lifelong friends, Don and Jerry Maples. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Anna Lee McDowell; children, Charles McDowell and Cynthia Black of Atlanta and David McDowell and Lori Gardner of Cleveland; sons-in-law, Steve Black and Tim Gardner; daughters-in-law, Toni McDowell and Gina McDowell; grandchildren, April Stevens, Adam McAmis, Benjamin McDowell, Kelly McDowell, Christopher Black and Jennifer Black; sisters-in-law, Pat McDowell, Virginia Storm and Betty Jo McClanahan; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral will be Monday, November 26, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at Grissom Funeral Home with the Reverend Tom Wickes officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery with military honors. Kent McDowell, Benjamin McDowell, Scott McClanahan, Steve Farmer, Don Maples, and Charlie Finnell will serve as pallbearers. His family will receive guests from 1:00-3:00 on Monday prior to the service at the funeral home. The family requests that memorials be made in Billy Joe's honor to Hospice of Chattanooga Foundation, P.O. Box 19269, Chattanooga, TN 37416 in lieu of flowers. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the McDowell family guest book at www.grissomfh.net.