Yvonne Rose B. McDowell

YVONNE (YONNIE) ROSE McDowell, 87, of Sylva, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025. 

A native and a lifelong resident of Jackson County she was born on February 11, 1934 and she was the daughter of the late Odell and Grace Bryson. Yvonne was a lifelong member of Liberty Baptist Church, where she served as Head Usher, Choir Member from her youth, Director over the Kitchen, severed as a dedicated member of the Syrilda H Smith Missionary group. She also active in the Tuesday noon non denomination Bible Study group., and she was an Liberty Trailblazer. member of several choirs she participated faithfully in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School and a member of SH Smith Missionary Circle. Yvonne also Extension Group she was active was very active as well with the Town of Sylva and the Jackson County Commissioners office. Yvonne sat on the board of WNC Legal Services and Mountain Projects INC . She retired after 30 years at Western Carolina University. 

In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Joe Lewis McDowell; her daughter, Vanessa Jodale McDowell; sisters, Odessa Mebane, Dorsey Thomas, Minnie Jo Jackson ( Leroy), Jane (Willie) Williams, Jacqueline Wilson (Richard) and Linda Mingus (Lewis), and Emma Lou Bryson; brothers, SJ Bryson (Trudy), John Robert Bryson Ida Jean) , David Bryson (Daisy), Herbert Bryson, and Richard Bryson.

Yvonne is survived by her DEDICATED son, Walter McDowell, grandchildren; Jennifer McDowell, Anthony McDowell, Joshua McDowell, and Casey McDowell; great grandchildren Dominique Rattler, Robert Rattler, Simone McDowell, Timothy McDowell, Cassidy McDowell, Graceland McDowell, and James Lewis McDowell. She is also survived by one brother, Ferrell (Linda) Bryson of Greensboro, NC; two sisters-in-law, Dolores Bryson of Ohio and Melissa Bryson of South Carolina; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Liberty Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Appalachian Funeral Services is in charge of the arrangements.