On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, Delphis Octavia McDowell went home to be with the Lord. Delphis was born on July 10, 1934, to the late Sammy and Minnie White, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, W.I.
After graduating from school, Delphis started working at Eden Bower Hotel in Ocho Rios and had one daughter, Annette Grier.
Delphis was introduced to Bethel Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church where she got baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost. She served as Youth Secretary and sang in the choir at Bethel Tabernacle for many years before emigrating to Williamsburg, VA.
On January 21, 1959, she married Francisco McDowell, whom she had met while working at Eden Bower. This union was blessed with five children, Ovril, Bryan, Marlene, Donna, and Easton.
In Williamsburg, Delphis spent over thirty years as a pantry worker at the Williamsburg Inn. She was a dedicated worker and enjoyed her job. She learned to fix many American selections and granola and potato salad were her specialties.
Delphis continued her love for the Lord as a member of the Apostolic Church in Williamsburg before joining hands in fellowship with the United Pentecostal Church ( now The Peninsula Pentecostals) in Newport News in 1987. She was a faithful member along with her husband. She loved her God and her family.
Delphis was a dedicated and faithful mother to her children. She made many sacrifices for her children and she advocated for them when they could not or were not able to speak for themselves. She was a very kind and giving individual and always seemed to travel with a bag of gifts in the car for someone. We will miss her love, kindness, and smile but we know that she has transitioned to a place of peace and rest.
She was preceded in death by her husband Francisco; sons, Bryan and Easton; and several siblings. She leaves to cherish her memories, daughters, Annette Grier, Ovril McDowell, Marlene Kirkpatrick (John), and Donna McDowell; grandchildren, Erika Kirkpatrick, Alexis Kirkpatrick, DiAndre Grier, Jada Compton, and Israel McDowell; sister Lorris Brown; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, extended family and friends in the Jamaican community in Williamsburg, and her church family.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the Peninsula Pentecostals. Interment to follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park. Mrs. McDowell may be viewed on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the funeral home.
