Lorene McDowell

Lorene McDowell, 96, of Fruitland passed away Thursday, April 2, 2015, at the family home.

She and her twin brother were born Nov. 25, 1918, at their home in Jackson. She is the daughter of Grover "Cleve" and Rhoda James Crites. She and Allen McDowell were married Oct. 29, 1938, in Blytheville, Arkansas. He preceded her in death July 8, 2013.

Lorene was a 1936 graduate of Jackson High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University, earning a teacher's certificate. She taught in the one-room Liberty School near Oak Ridge for a year. After that she was a mother, dairy farmer, bookkeeper and partner in her husband's business enterprises.

A lifelong Methodist, she was active in the Fruitland Methodist Church, returning to her childhood church, New McKendree United Methodist, when the Fruitland church closed. At New McKendree, she organized the Esther Circle and was instrumental in starting a shuttle service enabling the elderly to attend church, an effort that ultimately resulted in the church's purchase of a van.

Survivors include three children, Ronald McDowell of Fruitland, Donna Brugger of Paducah, Kentucky, and Cheryl (Darrell) Hanschen of Fruitland; six grandchildren, Kyle (Mendi) McDowell, Jeff (Samantha) Brugger, Julie (Andre) McDaniel, Shaun Hanschen and wife Scarlett Loomas, Leslie Hanschen and husband Bryan Schmid, and Brittany Hanschen; four great-grandchildren, Martin Brugger, Miles and Mabry Schmid and Amelie Hanschen; and supportive friends, Dwayne and Sandy Hanners.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen; her beloved twin, Loren, in 1943; a newborn son, Loren Allen; three brothers, Grover, Woodrow and James Crites; a sister, Viola Godwin; a granddaughter, Mary Melissa McDowell; and a son-in-law, Bill Brugger.

Service was held Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Interment was in Cape County Memorial Park.

Pallbearers were Kyle McDowell, Jeff Brugger, Shaun Hanschen, Brittany Hanschen, Bryan Schmid and Dwayne Hanners.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and to Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

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