Donna McDowell

Donna McDowell, age 85, of Vandalia Missouri, passed away on July 30, 2024, at the Columbia Manor, Columbia Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, August 5, 2024, at Waters Funeral Home.  Pastor Glenn Forman will officiate.  Interment will be at 2:00 pm at the Hydesburg Cemetery, Hannibal Missouri.

A visitation celebrating Donna's life will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Waters Funeral Home.

Donna was born on August 18, 1938, in Hannibal Missouri, the daughter of Henry Arley and Eileen (Dixon) Radford. She was the oldest of five children, Ronald, Donald, Cindy, and Arleen.

Donna graduated from Hannibal High School in 1957. Donna enjoyed her first job at Cagles, a local soda fountain and sandwich shop, which she fondly remembered as “The first time she made money.” She later attended and graduated from the Blessing School of Nursing. She was united in marriage to John Elder in 1961. He preceded her in death in 1968. Donna and John had three sons, John, Paul, and Mark. In 1973, she married Donald McDowell. Don had two daughters, Gena and Cathy. Their marriage created a close-knit blended family. During that time, she stepped out of her role as a nurse and into the role of a farmer’s wife. She drove combines, trucks, and tractors, which was quite an adjustment, but she always did what needed to be done. Don preceded her in death in 1995.

Professionally, Donna began working as an LPN Surgical Nurse at Levering Hospital and continued her nursing career at the Audrain Medical Center. After her retirement, she began working as a cook at the Van-Far Elementary School. She also worked at the Sonlight Daycare for a few years. 

Donna was an active member of the Elm Grove Baptist Church and participated in activities and functions, as well as the Baptist Women’s Organization. She was also a member of the Round Grove Extension Club and enjoyed working and socializing with other women in the community. She was a kind, gentle-spoken woman who truly loved her family very deeply. Donna found joy in her roles of mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, co-worker and friend. She sought to support and encourage those around her with kind deeds such as sending numerous birthday cards, delivering birthday treats and anniversary surprises to all her kids and grandkids on their special days. They all looked forward to her visits bearing doughnuts, ice-cream sandwiches, or cookies. One of her greatest acts of service was finding joy in making sure all dishes were washed, dried, and put away after family meals. Her warm smiles, generosity, and kindness were displayed in her words and deeds everywhere she went.

She is survived by three sons: John McDowell, Columbia MO, Paul (Tracy) McDowell, Curryville MO and Mark (Johnna) McDowell, Vandalia MO, two daughters: Virgena (Donnie) Gibson, Vandalia MO and Cathy (Steve) Breneman, Vandalia MO. One brother: Donald Radford, Louisiana MO, two sisters: Cindy Lykins, Glendale AZ and Arleen Maple, Hannibal MO, and one sister-in-law: Shelia Radford, grandchildren: Dustin (Nicole) Gibson, Mandy (Chad) Reading, Alyssa (Austin) Long, Kayla Breneman Sarlo, Amber (Jason) Francis, Landon (Michelle) McDowell, Brady McDowell, Jessie (Kevin) Armistead, Wyatt (MaClay) McDowell and Morgan McDowell, great-grandchildren: Dawson, Keeley, & Harper Gibson, Aubrey & Dayton Reading, Graham & Kyson Long, Lucy, Dotty, & Clara Sarlo, Phoenix Francis, Penelope & Evie McDowell, and Kadin Armistead.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry Arley and Eileen Radford, husbands, John Elder and Donald McDowell, brother: Ronald Radford, brother-in-law: Bill Maple, sister-in-law: Pat Radford and grandchildren: Alicia Breneman and Drew Gibson, and grandson-in-law: Jimmy Sarlo.

Memorials are suggested to the Elm Grove Baptist Church, in care of Waters Funeral Home.