Janie Diane McDowell

Janie Diane Markum McDowell, age 80, passed away on August 14, 2026 at her home in Beaumont, TX. She was born in Waco, TX on February 4, 1946, the daughter of Bernice Clifton Markum and Annie Lou Sherman Markum.

Janie graduated from Chaffey Union High School in Ontario, California in 1963. She was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, James Tolbert Markum.

A memorial service will be held at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home on Friday, August 21st at 10:00am with a burial immediately following.

Janie met Duncan McDowell in Houston in 1973. They fell in love immediately, and were married 3 months later on October 27. They shared 52 wonderful years of marriage together. Janie and Duncan had no children. They lived in Houston for 7 years before moving to Beaumont.

Janie worked as a legal secretary and homemaker until she developed Multiple Sclerosis in 1985. She courageously battled the disease for over 40 years as her health continually declined.

Despite her many health challenges, Janie never lost her beautiful smile or her positive spirit. Her motto was “Endeavor to Persevere”. Friends and acquaintances often remarked on how she was always friendly, cheerful and had a pretty smile regardless of how difficult her circumstances were.

Many said that she was the sweetest person they had ever known and admired her strength and grace in facing the hardships caused by her illness. Janie said that the thing she missed the most about being in a wheelchair was not being able to give and receive good hugs.

Janie was a hardworking and thoughtful person. She was an excellent cook, careful with money, and always ready to help others when needed. She never complained. She was a devoted Christian who enjoyed watching Joyce Myers church services on TV. She was smart, had a good sense of humor and enjoyed making up her own jokes. She enjoyed listening to oldie’s music with Duncan and watching old movies together.

Duncan always said that she was the love of his life, and treated her that way. She said the same about him, and their marriage was filled with love, laughter, and companionship.

Before her marriage she worked for a short time as a waitress, a bank cashier, and did some modeling work. In the early years of her marriage before her illness, she worked as a legal secretary. She enjoyed scuba diving, playing card games with friends, and playing with her puppies.

Janie and Duncan also shared many adventures together. They owned a small sailboat and motorcycles, and over the years had several sports cars. Janie especially enjoyed occasionally driving their 1972 Jaguar XKE convertible to work, much to the surprise of her coworkers.

In 1974 she drove a car in a Demolition Derby contest held in the Astrodome. She finished sixth out of 32 cars. She later admitted that she was scared to death while doing it.

Throughout their 52 years together, Janie and Duncan shared a fun and loving life filled with great friends, memorable vacations, and daily laughter.

Janie found comfort in reading the Bible, and her faith and prayers gave her peace. She believed she would soon be with the Lord and faced the end of her life without fear. She had lived a good life and was ready when her time came.

She will be sorely missed by her husband and good friends.