Joella McDowell, 93, died peacefully on May 27, 2010 following a long period of declining health.
She was born in Atlanta on Sept. 9, 1916 to William Milner and Carlene Ambrose Wallace. She attended schools in Decatur, Ga., and the University of Georgia extension (now Georgia State).
She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta. After a brief time of private nursing, she entered the Army Nurse Corps from which she retired as a Major after 21 years of service to her country.
Joella spent 10 years of her duty overseas. In World War II she trained Brazilian nurses to be assigned to Italy. Upon her return to Brazil, she was awarded the Southern Cross by the Brazilian government, which is the highest honor bestowed to non-Brazilians.
Her military career included tours to Presideo of San Francisco, Mitchell Field, N.Y., Japan, Ft. McPherson, Ga., and Fort Benning, Ga.
Joella met and married Colonel Samuel T. McDowell, a widower with 3 children. Her husband died in 1973 and prior to his death their oldest son, Lt. Samuel T. McDowell Jr. was killed in Viet Nam.
Joella moved to Vero Beach in 1984 to join her three sisters. She was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church and the Order of the Daughters of the King. She was also a member of the Scottish Society of the Treasure Coast.
She is survived by her daughter Crosland M. Cox (Frank) of Clemson, S.C.; son, Turney H. McDowell of Bradenton; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Carlene Wallace Willis, Alice Wallace and Blanche Wallace Evans (Charles), all of Indian River Estates in Vero Beach.
Services for the family will be held Saturday, May 29, 2010 at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church at 11 a.m.
A graveside service will be held at Decatur Cemetery in Decatur at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 2365 Pine Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
All arrangements are under the direction and care of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends and family may sign an on-line guestbook at www. strunkfuneralhome.com.