Donald Clyde McDowell, 69, of Hartwell, GA died June 10, 2022 at AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson, SC after a decades-long battle with kidney disease.

Clyde was born July 7, 1952 in Greenwood, SC to the late James Allen and Bernice Still McDowell.

He leaves behind a wife, Donna Sanders McDowell, a daughter, Laura Dickerson and her husband Scott, a son, Reed McDowell, three grandchildren, Chandler, Parker and Savannah Dickerson and her fiancé Gavin Richardson, a great-grandchild, Wesley Richardson, and a brother Roger McDowell. He was preceded in death by brothers, Harold and William McDowell.

He was a devout Christian and founding member of The Way Church in Canon, GA where he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Clyde was a jack of all trades and a master of many, having worked in business and finance before segueing to health care. He held degrees in accounting, Biblical studies and nursing from Piedmont Technical College, Emanuel College and Tri-County Technical College, respectively.

Clyde was a mayoral appointee to the Hart County Board of Health and previously served as its chairman. He worked nearly 20 years as a nurse with Ty Cobb Healthcare System (now St. Mary's Health Care) retiring in 2013.

His proudest roles, however, were those of husband, father, grandfather and just recently, great-grandfather.

His family—and countless others—will recall Clyde's passion for music. He was an exceptional, self-taught musician who could play by sight or by ear, but always from the heart. He became a church pianist at the age of 12 and went on to share his talents for more than a half century, from the church sanctuary to the stage of Hart County Community Theatre.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. Other times the family will be at the home.

Funeral Services for Mr. Clyde McDowell will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at The Way Church with Pastors Riley Shelton, Todd McCrae, and Jason McCary officiating. Burial will be in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be: Chandler Dickerson, Parker Dickerson, Larry Ayers, Rodney Goolsby, Craig O'Barr, David Preble, Charles Corbett and Jimmy Carey.

Clyde's life was prolonged many years thanks to the gift of life from a complete stranger. To honor his legacy, the family encourages the public to consider registering as an organ donor at organdonor.gov or to make a contribution in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org/donation or to The Way Church 1332 Airline-Goldmine Rd Canon, GA 30520.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.

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