Mrs. Elsie Louise McDowell

Elsie Louise Graham McDowell, 87, peacefully passed away of natural causes on Dec 6, 2014, in Beaumont, TX. Louise was born in Hammond, La in 1927. Her father worked for the railroad. This necessitated the family of 6 to relocate several times through her formative years. They, the Grahams, eventually settled in Forest, MS where Louise attended high school. This, during the Great Depression. But the family persevered. In fact, tough times made Louise the hard working, strong-willed woman she would be. She certainly enjoyed a little give and take. Her mother would say that the most fun she, her sister, and 2 brothers would have was when they were tormenting one another. Ah, family. In 1948, Louise married her partner for eternity, William Banks McDowell. They moved to Jackson where they would raise their family. Both were “hard in love” for all of their 63 year marriage, always saying they never had an argument. Well… Banks was quite a man. An exceptional athlete, he played football and baseball at Sunflower Jr College and MS State University. A decorated veteran of World War II, he returned to civilian life, met Louise and soon married. Banks pursued a professional baseball career and spent the next 10 years in the Boston Braves organization. With much of his time spent on the road, Louise ran the household and tried to keep their 2 sons on track. It seems tormenting one’s sibling was in the family genes. Louise, besides fulfilling her responsibilities at home, was a valued employee of National School Pictures, Inc for over 15 years. Job and family…responsibilities Louise met head on. After Banks’ ball playing days ended, he had to get a “real job”. That would result in a 28 year career for the city of Jackson in the Assessment Division. Louise was a physically beautiful woman. She was savvy and intelligent, morally strong, and loving. Yet, actually a simple lady working to make her family the best it could be. Her home was her castle. She was renowned for her home cooked vegetables. Naturally, they came from the vast and varied produce the McDowells grew themselves. She was constantly canning or otherwise filling the freezer with this, that, or the other. Still, she always had time set out for friends and family. Bunko with the girls was seldom just Bunco with the girls. No questions were asked. Throughout, Banks and Louise’s pastimes would include fishing, camping, or simply watching the Braves. They especially enjoyed a spur of the moment trip, anywhere, in their RV. Lasting friendships were made throughout the country. Simple pleasures for simple people. Louise loved her family deeply. Naturally, included throughout the years were Stretch, Duke I, Duke II, Lucy I, and Lucy II…her line of red dachshunds. Great dogs, spoiled rotten. Louise was preceded in death by her parents Dewitt Clinton Graham, Sr and Ora Lee Graham. Her husband, Banks, passed away in December of 2011. Also, preceding Louise was her brothers Jack D Graham and Dewitt C Graham, Jr. She is survived by her sons Dallas W Sparks, Jr and wife Carol Caldwell Sparks of Beaumont, TX and Graham Banks McDowell and wife June McDowell of Acworth, GA; one grandson William Jeffrey Sparks and wife Sally Monk Sparks of Beaumont, TX; two great grandsons Jacob Alexander Sparks and Caleb Christopher Sparks; also, her sister Joanne Ramsey. Mrs McDowell will be truly missed by all that knew her. May she rest in peace. Visitation will be11am -1:00pm Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 at Crystal Springs City Cemetery.