Ms. Dorothy Ann McDowell, 79, of Jackson Hamlet Community of Aberdeen, North Carolina entered into eternal rest on Monday, July 20, 2026, in Greenville, SC. 

Dorothy Ann McDowell was born on January 23, 1947, in the Jackson-Hamlet Community of Pinehurst, NC, and departed this life on July 20, 2026, in Greenville, SC. Her mother, Nancy  McDowell, and stepfather, Winslow Morrison, preceded her in death. Her godmother, Beulah Luse, also preceded her in death.

Dorothy was baptized and joined St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in the Jackson-Hamlet Community at an early age. She attended Berkley High School in Aberdeen, NC, where she played on  the Girls’ basketball team and graduated valedictorian of her class in 1965. After graduating from high school, she attended Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology  in 1970, graduating magna cum laude. After graduating from Shaw University, she relocated to Mt. Vernon, NY, to live with her sister Barbara. She later moved to Hartford, CT. While in Hartford, Dot continued her education, attending the University of Hartford, earning a master’s degree in biology and graduating with honors and magna cum laude in 1975. She also worked in the Hartford Public School System for over 40 years. After retiring from the Hartford Public School System, she returned home to Jackson-Hamlet and renewed her membership with St. Paul  Missionary Baptist Church. She served as church clerk/secretary and she also set up and ran an after-school program for the youth in the community at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.

Dorothy lived a life filled with compassion, laughter, and love for her family. She was a mother, a best friend, a confidante, and her warmth made every house she entered feel like home.

Dot was also preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Rock (Charles), her brothers, Peter McDowell, Freddy Morrison, and Karl McDowell. She is now reunited with the loved ones who preceded  her in death, and we take comfort in knowing they are all together again.

Those left to cherish fond memories of Dot are, her daughter, Dawn Raquel McDowell of Greenville, SC; two grandchildren, Tyra Thompson (Shianne) of West Palm Beach, FL and Mark  Thompson (Jasymne) of Raleigh, NC; one great granddaughter, Harmony Thompson of Raleigh; her sisters, Betty Eskridge, a sister and a friend of Fayetteville, NC, Yvonne Morrison of Pinehurst, NC, Johnsie Gaddy of New Hill, NC, Linda McDowell of Pinehurst, Marsha McDowell of Bladensburg, MD, and Renee Blue of Whispering Pines, NC; her brothers, Jimmy McDowell of Brooklyn,  NY, George Morrison, Jr., of Wesley Chapel, FL, and Gregory Morrison of Wesley Chapel; two sisters-in-law, Isabelle Morrison of Norfolk, VA and Florence Morrison of Tampa FL; and a host of  other relatives and friends.

Please keep the family and friends of Ms. Dorothy Ann McDowell in your thoughts and prayers. 

Please have ALL floral/plants arrangement delivered to the funeral home by 10am on Saturday, July 25, 2026.  Otherwise, you can deliver to the church on Sunday, July 26, 2026, between 1230p-130p.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.