Mary Ann Suddath McDowell - LAKELAND, FL - Mary Ann Suddath McDowell, 88, died April 1, 2013 in Lakeland, FL after an extended illness. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Dwight L. Pearson officiating. Burial will follow at the Chester Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Mrs. McDowell was born on April 20, 1924 in Savannah, Georgia and was the daughter of the late Leroy and Lucille Suddath. Mrs. McDowell graduated from Savannah High School, attended the University of Georgia where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, and graduated from Armstrong State University, Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in elementary education. She was very active in the community and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Chester Sunshine Club, Palmetto Club, Golden Age Club and a longtime member of the Chester ARP Presbyterian Church. At the church, she served as a Deacon, was a member of the Wednesday Morning Bible Study, a Sunday school teacher, and was also a former Chairman of the Bonclarken Board of Directors of the ARP Church. Mrs. McDowell was a retired elementary school teacher and was an avid supporter of education throughout her life. She loved to cook, garden, read, travel, play bridge with her friends and spend time with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband John Boyd McDowell. Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and William H. Cook, Jr. of Lakeland, FL; daughter Cecile H. Stanley of Tampa, FL and son Irvine C. Henderson III of Tampa, FL, Jane Hardin and Curt Tidmore of Albany, OR, and Frances Anne McDowell of Fairhope, AL; brother, Major General Leroy N. Suddath (U.S. Army, Retired) and Carole Suddath and sister-in-law, Eileen Suddath; grandchildren, William and Kim Cook, Christopher and Raeanne Cook, and John Cook of Lakeland, FL, Andrew and Emily Ain and Jason Ain of Cincinnati, OH, Caroline and Daniel Rice, John Henderson of Charleston, SC and Wesley Henderson of Greenville, SC; great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Lindsey, Kylie, and Chloe, and a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials/donations be made to the ARP Church of Chester or The Mary Ann and J.B. McDowell Scholarship Fund at Armstrong Atlantic State University, 11935 Abercorn St., Savannah, Ga. 31 419. Savannah Morning News April 3, 2013 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.