On August 24, 2021, at age 89, Mary Jane Ellen Smith McDowell peacefully passed into the arms of our Heavenly Father at home surrounded by loved ones. Mary Jane was born on August 1, 1932 in Houston, Texas to Arthur Bion Smith and Ruth Caperton Smith. Her artistic talents were encouraged from an early age, and she performed in dance recitals and played the accordion and piano. To honor her country, she served as the Texas State President of the Children of the American Revolution. She received her BBA degree in Economics from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. There, she was one of the equestrians riding the "Six White Horses" representing the six flags flown over Texas, at a wide variety of events and parades. A skilled musician and accordion soloist for the famous "Cowboy Band", she toured US military bases in Europe over the Christmas holidays in 1952 for the USO, bolstering the spirits of post WWII GIs away from home. Immediately upon returning to the US, they then traveled to Washington, D.C. to perform in the Inaugural parade for President Eisenhower. Travel was always a passion which led her to become a flight attendant for Braniff International Airways. It was there that she met her husband Charles Anderson McDowell. They were married August 5, 1955 and thereafter she chose the most important calling of all, motherhood, and stayed home to raise her children. Spending time with her family brought her so much joy and they traveled all over the world on family vacations. The passion of outdoor scenery is preserved in the many paintings and drawings she created with a special emphasis on horses. Mary Jane is preceded in death by her loving husband of 38 years, Charles Anderson McDowell; parents, Arthur Bion Smith and Ruth Caperton Smith; and brother Dr. Arthur Bion Smith, Jr. She is survived by son, Charles Anderson McDowell, Jr. and wife Sherry McDowell of Colleyville, TX; daughter Lonna Ruth Farr and husband Dave Farr of Landrum, SC; five grandchildren, Andrea Nesbit and husband James, Lauren McDowell, Cameron Farr, Clayton Farr, Makenna Coker and husband Jared; and three great grandchildren; Rylan, Ellis, and Belikin. A celebration of her life service will be held at Colonial Funeral Home of Irving, 606 West Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas on November 6 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hardin Simmons University Scholarship Fund or your favorite charity. SERVICES

Memorial Service

Saturday, November 06, 2021 11:00 AM

Colonial Funeral Home Chapel 606 W. Airport Fwy. Irving, TX 75062