Thelma Ruth McDowell

Thelma Ruth Farris McDowell "Mammaw" passed into the arms of Jesus September 30, 2018 with the heavens rejoicing. Her funeral will be Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Brady Heritage Funeral Home at 2:00 pm with visitation at 1:00 pm and burial at Cowboy Cemetery near Rochelle. She was born at home on the family farm near Rochelle, Texas on January 24,1932 to parents Jesse James and Mamie Lee Long Farris. On October 31, 1949 Thelma married Joe Ennis McDowell of Menard. They were married 63 years before Joe passed on January 4, 2013. Thelma came from a large family, she was the seventh of nine children. Thelma is survived by one brother Frank Farris and wife Janice, sister-in-law Evelyn Farris, daughter Suzann Woodward Fish and husband Jim, son Jeffrey Joe McDowell and wife Cathy, grandchildren Mendi Woodward Gardner and husband Fred, Joseph Woodward and wife Katherine, Russell McDowell and wife Bette, Rachel McDowell, great grandchildren Kohl Wilson, Piper Gardner, Rosie McDowell and numerous nieces and nephews. She and Joe raised their family in Menard before moving to Uvalde and then Pecos before retiring in Brady. After Joe passed, Thelma moved to Boerne to live in Cibolo Creek Nursing Home. Being with family playing dominoes and cards was Thelma's favorite thing to do other than cooking for family. Her family brought her great joy. She loved to sew for her children and grandchildren. All the grandchildren spent time in Mammaw's sewing room playing with buttons. Her grandchildren were always welcomed with big hugs and kisses. Thelma was an artist, drawing pictures for her high school annual, and then at age 50 she began taking painting lessons. She became an accomplished artist filling the walls of her family and their friends with her beautiful paintings. Blue bonnets were her favorite subject. She made friends everywhere she lived, and most remembrances are of her laughter and sweet nature. A member of the Church of Christ all her life, she was a servant to those in need either as a Bible School Teacher, cooking for the sick and for funerals. Thelma "Mammaw" will be deeply missed but we know she is having a big family reunion in heaven filled with joy and laughter.

Thelma Ruth McDowell

January 24, 1932 - September 30, 2018