Earl "Koota" McDowell

Earl K. McDowell was born to the late Jack and Willie Mae Dunn McDowell on March 8, 1934, in Madison Parish near Delhi, Louisiana. He was the first born of nine boys and four girls.

Earl departed his earthly life at the age of 87 on Sunday, July 18, 2021, at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe.

Earl, affectionately known as “Kooter,” grew up on farms in Madison and Franklin Parish. He attended elementary school at Givefield Church, until third grade. He then attended Martin Elementary School in Franklin Parish while still living in Madison Parish. Earl and his siblings had to cross Bayou Macon in a boat every day to get to school. Kooter was the only one who was allowed to paddle the boat, as the others had not learned how to paddle it; after which, there was a two-mile walk one way. Earl also attended Waverly High School.

Kooter learned to plow with a mule early, as he helped on the family farm in Delhi, Louisiana. Throughout the years, he also worked on nearby farms as a laborer to help support his family. After his parents’ health declined, Earl went to live in a nursing home in 2003. In 2021, he went to live with his brother, Boyd, in Monroe, Louisiana.

Earl had recently accepted the Lord as his personal savior. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. Even though he was a man of few words, he knew how to make his words count. While living with his brother, Boyd, Kooter’s favorite pastime was eating ice cream bars with his great niece.

He leaves to cherish his memories: four brothers, Theodis McDowell (Shirley) of Pineville, Louisiana, Melvin McDowell (Julia) of Delhi, Louisiana, Albert McDowell (Jae) of Laurel, Maryland, and Boyd McDowell (Peggy) of Monroe, Louisiana; two sisters, Josephine Carroll (Bruce) of Austin, Texas, and Sadie McDowell of Zachary, Louisiana; three sisters-in-law, Mary Willie McDowell of Los Angeles, California, Sybil McDowell of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Christine McDowell of Monroe, Louisiana; one aunt, Betty J. Brice of Moses Lake, Washington; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Gilbert McDowell, John McDowell, Willie McDowell, and Bobby McDowell; two sisters, Carrie McDowell Milsap and Caldora McDowell; one brother-in-law, Ben Milsap; and one sister-in-law, Anna Price McDowell.

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