Lola Irene McDowell

Lola Irene McDowell, 81, Nevada, died Friday, Dec. 31, 2004, at Skaggs Hospital in Branson. She was born Nov. 25, 1923, in Ivel, Ky., the daughter of Carl L. Adkins and Jessie M. Blackburn Adkins. She married Gilbert O. McDowell on Nov. 26, 1949, in Bentonville, Ark. He preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 2002.

She moved to Nevada as a small child and spent most of her life here. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1943. After graduation, she worked at Richardson Motor Company and J.C. Penney Company in Nevada, and then Beach Air Craft in Wichita, Kan. Following marriage, she and her husband spent a short time working in Kansas City, then moved back to Nevada. After returning to Nevada, Irene managed the local Bellas Hess Catalog store, and later was credit manager at Sears for 16 years. Prior to retirement in the 1980s, she worked at Key Work Clothes. She was a past member of the BPW.

Survivors include one son, Leon McDowell, Metz; one daughter, Laudle Atwood, Branson; two stepdaughters, Carolyn Hadley and Teresa Hawkins of Arkansas; four grandsons; two granddaughters; one step-granddaughter; two step-grandsons; several nieces, nephews, and step-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Gilbert, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and three sisters.

Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005, at National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan., with the Rev. Paul Mooney officiating. Friends may call now and until 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. The family receives friends from 6-7 p.m. on today, Jan. 4, at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute to the American Heart Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home.