Gerald Dwight McDowell, 78, of Marmaduke died Friday, April 15, 2005, at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould.

He was born Aug. 8, 1926, to the late Archie and Lucinda (Gibbs) McDowell in Greene County. He was a retired farmer and a member of Ramer's Chapel Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Phil McDowell; one brother, Henry, and six sisters, Bessie Starnes, Mary James, Lillian Walker, Edna Vantrese, Ollie Bibbs and Laura Dortch.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Vicki McDowell and Ricky and Becky McDowell, all of Marmaduke; three sisters, Martha Ragsdale of Dexter, Mo., Bertie Wyatt of Rector and Mathel Wyatt of Marmaduke; four grandchildren and their spouses, Nicki and Connie McDowell, Tonya and Dale Drope, all of Marmaduke, Shannon and Wendy McDowell of Little Rock and Shawn McDowell of Paragould, and four great-grandchildren, Tyler McDowell, Chelsea Drope, Zackary McDowell and Colby Drope.

Funeral services were Sunday, April 17, at Ramer's Chapel Methodist Church with Bro. Kim Bridges, Bro. Laramie LeQuieu and Rev. Dan Walker officiating. Burial was in Ramer's Chapel Cemetery with Irby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Dale Drope, Terry Wyatt, Shannon McDowell, Shawn McDowell, David Rutledge, Eric Brown, Nicki McDowell and Melvin Wyatt.