Erna Volhardt Mcdowell

Erna Volhardt McDowell, 82, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at her residence following a lengthy illness. She was born on May 30, 1936 in Darmstadt, Germany to the late Joseph and Katharina Lubig Volhardt. She had lived in Jacksonville, Florida for many years before moving to Valdosta and was the owner/operator of Edgewood Florist in Jacksonville for a number of years being in the floral business for over 30 years. Mrs. McDowell was of the Catholic faith.
She is survived by her daughters, Marika Reyna of Brunswick GA and Jannette Bennett and her partner Cliff Rayhon of Waverly, Georgia; a son, John H. (Johnny) McDowell of White Oak, Georgia; six grandchildren and their spouses, Jason Bennett, Jaime Thornton, Steven Howard, and Bryan Bennett all of Brunswick, and Joe’e and Dixie McDowell, and Jessee McDowell and partner Tammy Bain all of Virginia; daughterin-law Ginny McDowell along with five great-grandchildren, Carson Bennett, Colton Bennett, Waylon Bennett, Olivia McDowell and Morgan McDowell; her sister and brother-in-law, Heidi and Joseph Samborski of Westchester, Illinois; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Werner and Krystal Volhardt, and Haroldt and Siegrid Volhardt all of Germany; several nieces and nephews. Mrs. McDowell was preceded in death by her husband, William C. McDowell; her son, Joseph (Joe) McDowell; her son-in-law, Richard G. (Garland) Reyna, and her long-time companion, Roy E. Brockman.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date and time in the Brunswick Memorial Park in Brunswick, Georgia. Mrs. McDowell will be cremated according to her wishes. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane.