Mrs. Ella Mae Reeves was born September 5, 1939 in Meriwether County to the late Johnny Dean and late Mattie Wallace. On Saturday February 14, 2015, God called his daughter home. Death has removed her from our presence but not our memories, which we shared with many.

She attended Meriwether Public Schools. Ella accepted the Lord as her Lord and Savior and was a faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Holiness Church and True Word Holiness Church. In 1962 she was united in marriage to Willie Roger McDowell. Mrs. McDowell was employed with elderly care homes for 25 faithful years.

She leaves to cherish her memories eight sons, Mr. Ricky (Shirley) Morman of Fairburn, GA, Mr. Roger Dale (Coretta) McDowell of Fayetteville, NC, Mr. Ronald (Betty) McDowell of Augusta, GA, Mr. Robbie (Lisa) McDowell of Hogansville, GA, Mr. Russell (Casandra) McDowell of Newnan, GA, Mr. Ralph (Iris) McDowell of Greenville, GA; two sons preceded her in death, Mr. Antonio Heard, Atlanta, GA and Mr. Rodney McDowell, Greenville, GA; six daughters, Ms. Debbie (Cecil) Jackson of Gay, GA, Mrs. Cynthia (Henry) Gates of Grantville, GA, Ms. Sonya McDowell of Hogansville, GA, Master Sergeant LaCreshis (Corey) Trapp of Bossier City, LA; two daughters preceded her in death, Mrs. Carolyn (Noris) Hall, Newnan, GA and Mrs. Trion (Anthony) Williams, Griffin, GA; forty-three grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Margaret (Dan) Parks; one brother preceded her in death, Mr. Robert (Bonnell) Thrash; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; Antonia Green, Shawn Meriwther and Elizabeth Olivent.