Deacon Veola Mcdowney

Deacon Veola McDowney, son of the late James McDowney and Elizabeth Glascoe McDowney, was born on January 26, 1922 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He departed this life on Monday, December 18, 2017 at the Ft. Washington Medical Center with loving family by his side.

Being the youngest of eleven, Veola had the luxury of growing up with some of his nieces and nephews. Those bonds were solidified early, and family was always important to him.

Fondly known as Uncle Bubby, Dickie and Papa, Veola loved his family and was always willing to offer a kind word, a good story and loving support.

Veola served in WWII. He was joined in holy matrimony with the late Adlena Mae Lucas of Westmoreland, Virginia in 1947 and from that union Shelley Denise “Niecy” was born.

Veola accepted Christ and joined First Baptist Church Ambar in King George, Virginia under the leadership of his brother, the late Reverend John J. McDowney, who also baptized him. In later years, he joined Adlena at the Good Hope Baptist Church and became a Deacon. He took pride in being a Deacon and became a well respected, prayerful and highly favored “Man of God”.

He married Evelyn Davis in 1994 and cherished all the members of the extended family.

He leaves a light to forever shine in his memory to his dedicated and loving wife, Deaconess Evelyn McDowney, daughter, Shelley Denise McDowney Bivins, devoted son-in-law, Tony Dereck Bivins, grandsons, Christopher Mikel McDowney Bivins, Maeson Dereck McDowney Bivins and Kennedy Veola McDowney Bivins, and great-grandson, Kaeson Mikel Bivins, all of Marriottsville, MD; plus his beloved step-son, Vernon Davis (Marilyn) of Woodbridge, VA, stepdaughter, Melinda Gray of King George, VA, and candy buddies, Aisha and Oryana, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.