Obituary of Charles Mandolph McDowell

Charles Mandolph McDowell was born July 18, 1937, to the late William McDowell and the late Cora Mae McDowell in Kearneysville, West Virginia. Charles, affectionately known as “Mac” to many of his family and friends, was the last surviving child of his parents’ union. Throughout his childhood, Mac traveled between Kearneysville, West Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. He would often recount his cherished childhood memories of visiting his grandparents’ home in West Virginia with his cousins. Charles was an exceedingly bright and industrious child who worked odd jobs around the city of Baltimore to help support himself and his family. Upon his graduation from Frederick Douglass High School in 1954, Charles enlisted in the United States Navy. He remained in the Navy until his retirement in October1973.

Charles had a distinguished career in the United States Navy. Charles was stationed around the world during his military service. He was promoted to the rank of Master Chief in 1960. He is a veteran of the Viet Nam War having served two tours of duty and he received the Purple Heart.  A man of extraordinary bravery, he served in various roles during his Vietnam deployments. He first served as a CB in the U.S. Navy’s Construction Battalion, creating infrastructure in Vietnam. It was a CB or “Sea Bee,” that he acquired his skills in construction. Afterwards, he was promoted to oversee a convoy of minesweeping vessels that cleared mines and other explosive devices out of the riverbeds in Vietnam; mines placed by the enemy. It was his faith that propelled him forward every night he and his men were called upon to perform such dangerous tasks while under enemy fire. As a child growing up in Baltimore, he witnessed firsthand the devastation of substance abuse. These experiences led him to volunteer to serve as an Amnesty Liaison in the U.S. Navy. He compassionately assisted service members trying to overcome their substance abuse addictions while helping them to avoid court martial for illegal drug use. Charles’ last duty station was the Norfolk Naval operations Base. He retired from the United States Navy with an honorable discharged in 1973. He dedicated the rest of his career to being a contractor.

Charles was descended from a number of men who were builders in West Virginia. He was dedicated to contracting and construction hoping to provide safe, affordable housing for everyone was his goal. Indeed, he contributed to several well-known buildings and private homes in the Hampton Roads area, including assisting with the construction of the federal courthouse in Norfolk, VA.  Taking a cessation from his own contracting company, Charles served the Chesapeake Housing Authority as the Director of Maintenance for eighteen years. He retired from the Chesapeake Housing Authority in 2007. He returned to his own contracting business, McDowell Construction, with his new business partner, his son, Charles A. McDowell.

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Charles was a paragon of bravery and strength. Known for his sometimes-brutal honesty, he strongly adhered to order and discipline in all things. Charles was forthright in his dealings with a keen sense of fairness and equality to all. You never had to worry what he was thinking about in a matter, because he always told you; however appealing or unsympathetic. He had an infectious smile and was a good-natured person, with a wonderful sense of humor. He encouraged self-reliance and independence whenever possible; he was always ready to lend a hand. Always trustworthy, Charles was a fiercely loyal friend.

A proud father, he took immense pride in the accomplishments of all of his children as he
encouraged them to be strong, compassionate and productive members of society.
He beamed with pride to work alongside his son on various contracting jobs in the Hampton Roads area. He was jubilant as he watched his youngest child, Melanie, when she was featured delivering a baby on the Discovery Health Channel during her residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Two days before his passing, he was excited to watch and learn that Patrick and his team would return to the Super Bowl for a third time. . He was elated to see his daughter, Gwendolyn, be featured on the cover of the Washington Lawyer Magazine (November/December 2022 edition) for helping tenants avoid eviction after the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: one brother, Elton McDowell; three sisters: Jean McDowell Mason, Margaret Ann McDowell Cheney, and Clara Mae McDowell.  Charles is survived by his loving wife, Marie McDowell, Virginia Beach; three daughters, Lequita C. McDowell, Norfolk, VA; Gwendolyn M. Washington, Esquire (Samuel) Washington, DC; Melanie M. Faries MD (Christopher), Virginia Beach; two sons: Charles A. McDowell, Virginia Beach and Patrick J. McDowell, Philadelphia; step-son, Anthony McDowell, Chesapeake; He leaves to mourn his loss seven grandchildren: LeKeya McDowell Menefee, Samuel Washington, Seth Washington, Jamar McDowell, Connor Faries, Owen Faries, Marie McDowell; two great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and friends.  Above all, Charles was a servant of God. He fought the good fight his entire life, and he finished his race as he kept the faith.

Charles is loved and will be dearly missed.