Obituaries

Mrs. Ercelle Opal McDowell

Mrs. Ercelle Shell McDowell, of Alberta, VA, died Saturday, September 12, 2026 at her home. Ercelle is the widow of C.B. McDowell, Jr. and was a seamstress for Virginia Quilting and was a member of Warfield Baptist Church. Ercelle is survived by her children; Dixie Reames, of Blackstone, Debra Lewis of Alberta, and David Miller of Brodnax; a grandson who she raised, Jason Miller; a brother, Douglas Shell (Betty) as well as 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Ercelle is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Sally Shell; her siblings, Cecil Shell, Edna Cole, and Ernest Shell; and a grandson, Jeremy Lewis. A graveside funeral service will take place Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 2:00 at Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Alberta. The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or the American Heart Association at P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Messages of condolence may be made through our website at www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder – Hite – Crews Funeral Home is serving the McDowell family.