Erma McDowell

Erma McDowell, 79, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, at Baptist Health Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky.

She was born Jan. 26, 1936, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Roy W. and Laura Koeppel McLain. She and Joe McDowell were married April 6, 1958. He preceded her in death Feb. 12, 2012.

Erma was a lifelong member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, where she was active in Bethany Circle and Women's Fellowship Group. She worked at Southeast Hospital more than 20 years in the snack bar and radiology departments. She was a former member of Seek and Find Homemakers Club in Fruitland. Erma enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning and being outdoors.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Debbie (Robert) Gandy of Paducah and Carol McDowell of O'Fallon, Missouri; two sisters, Norma Shipp of Cape Girardeau and Betty Melvin of Jackson; five brothers, Roy (Jewell) McLain, Fred (Dolly) McLain and Jesse (Donna) McLain, all of Jackson, James McLain of Wood River, Illinois, and John (Toni) McLain of Cape Girardeau.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Burchyett and Marie Hampton; and two brothers, Richard and Glenn McLain.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the chapel, with the Rev. Joe Beal officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Fruitland.

Memorials may be given to Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association or to Bethany Circle at Emanuel United Church of Christ.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.