Ava Naomi McDowell, 94, formerly of Jackson, died Thursday, March 27, 2003, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Feb. 4, 1909, in Jackson, daughter of Lewis J. and Connie Hansel Stewart. She and Fred O. McDowell were married April 6, 1929. He died July 8, 1987.

McDowell was a graduate of the former Fruitland High School, and attended Southeast Missouri State University. She worked at Stix, Baer and Fuller in St. Louis, then farmed 57 years near Fruitland with her husband. She sold the farm in 1999 and moved to Chateau Girardeau.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church near Fruitland and a member and former officer of a homemakers club.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. The Rev. Eric Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.