Charlesetta McDowell

Charlesetta was delivered by a mid-wife in Wagoner, Oklahoma on a hot, humid day in 1938. Her teenage mother, Edith Ola Seals had been kicked out of her home and shipped off by her family due to the tragedy and disgrace of getting pregnant out of wedlock. Surviving with relatives, her young mother moved with Charlesetta from Tulsa to Los Angeles to Denver, and finally landed in Seattle when Charlesetta was about age 5.

Seattle would become her lifelong home. She describes her childhood as difficult, impoverished and requiring the development of survival skills in the projects as she co-parented herself and her mother through challenging years with god’s hand of protection. During her childhood, she accepted the lord into her life and enjoyed attending Sunday School and church, and singing in the youth choir at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Charlesetta was a proud graduate of Garfield High School, class of 1957. Following graduation, she entered the University of Washington. Drawn to a 5-year nursing program which offered 3 years of hospital apprenticeship, dorm housing and onsite income at Harborview Hospital, she worked and saved her money to pay her tuition; however, after her first two years of the program, her life would change dramatically as the program was eliminated and she met and fell in love with Daniel McDowell.

Dan and Charlesetta married and had 3 children within the span of four years. She soon discovered the difficulties and challenges of marriage, raising children and working full time. Turning to the lord for strength, wisdom and guidance, her spiritual life grew and matured as her children entered their teenage years. She began to take her walk of faith more seriously.

As her children became adults, she dedicated her mornings to prayer, devotional time and bible study. She blossomed and grew in her personal relationship with Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She began attending Bible Study Fellowship International, became a BSF discussion leader, and served as a Deaconess at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Charlesetta has also served as a Deacon at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship since its inception in 2005.

Charlesetta enjoyed a long career with the US Postal Service where she served in a variety of positions, culminating in her role as an EEO specialist. She retired from the USPS after 31 years of service and became an aerobic exercise instructor for seniors at the Seattle Senior Center for the next 25 years. Charlesetta deeply loved and cherished every member of her family. She was grateful for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was also grateful for her church family and many friends, especially Fritzie Taylor and Ernestine Robinson, whose friendships span over 60 years.

She leaves to cherish her memory: son Dwayne McDowell (Jennifer), son Darnell McDowell (Lolita), daughter Janice McDowell, grandchildren Marissa McDowell, Deidra McDowell, Danielle McDowell, Amber McDowell, Angelique McDowell, Gabrielle McDowell, great-grandchildren Bailey Baxter and Kairos West, as well as many nieces, nephews, devoted friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.