A Celebration of Life for Althea Jewel McDowell

Althea Jewel McDowell, affectionately known as “Teet”, was born on February 5, 1935—a fraternal twin—to the parents of Alf and Annie Taylor of Lassater, Texas in Marion County.

As a young teenage girl growing up in a large household, Althea had numerous responsibilities given to her to help ensure that her family was taken well care of at all times. She attended Victory High School in Texas, where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class. Along with being a talented basketball player and athlete, Althea juggled both work and school while excelling in her Home Economics course in high school. 

Quite frankly, Althea excelled in everything that she loved and put her hands to—especially cooking and baking— where her teachers in Home Economics took notice of her exceptional culinary skills. She was offered the opportunity, during summer breaks, to accompany her Home Economics teacher to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana where she enrolled as a student in a culinary arts program. Her passion for cooking earned her a culinary certification from the school that paved the way for her creations in delicious southern-inspired dishes and delectable desserts—all made from scratch, and all made with love.

Mrs. McDowell worked for various companies and employers throughout Texas including the Excelsior House in Jefferson, Jordan Health Services, and a host of hotels throughout the region. From waitress to restaurant cook, to eventually becoming a self-employed entrepreneur and restaurateur, she was known by her peers, co-workers, partners, and employees as hardworking, reliable, and dependable in every position that she held throughout her professional and entrepreneurial journey.

On September 15, 1964, Althea joined Felton McDowell of Linden, Texas in holy matrimony. A strong and beautiful woman of many notable traits, and unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Althea could be seen taking on just about any task thrown in her direction. Along with being a mother to three biological children, Leon (deceased), Rotunda, and Alton, Althea was no stranger to getting her hands dirty on the family’s farm as well! From helping her husband, Felton, feed several dozen heads of cattle, tending to the family’s livestock, putting up barbed wire fences, and preparing the family’s hot breakfasts, work lunches, and savory suppers fit for a royal family, Althea seemingly could do it all! She was a phenomenal homemaker, wonderful wife, loving mother, and trustworthy friend to countless neighbors and people she encountered throughout the years.

Shortly after her marriage to Felton, she moved her membership from Warlock Methodist Church in Lassater, Texas where she attended church as a child, to Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church where she held the offices of Deaconess, Usher, and head of the Kitchen Committee faithfully until the decline of her health began to compromise her ability to regularly attend and serve during church services and events.