AWARD-WINNING AND LIFELONG ATTORNEY PASSES

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Curtis F. McDowell, an award-winning Chicago lawyer and co-founder of the Trinity United Church of Christ, passed away on May 6 after a brief illness. He was 92.

Young Curtis spent his formative years in Angola as his father, the late Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell, was the first African-American missionary from the American Missionary Association to travel to the West African nation to tend to the poor and the sick and to minister to the members of the Umbundu Tribe.As the child of a missionary, Curtis was home schooled by his mother, Bessie, and became fluent in Umbundu, the native language of Angola.

McDowell, who was a partner in the law firm of Seaberry & McDowell, earned an award from the Cook County Bar Association for recognition of his more than 50 years as an attorney. He was also one of the original founders of Trinity United Church of Christ under its first pastor, the late Rev. Kenneth B. Smith. As co-founder and trustee, McDowell helped raise funds and presided over the construction of the church, which now boasts over 8,000 members.

When Rev. Smith left to serve as pastor of the Good Shepherd Congregational Church, McDowell followed him to Good Shepherd, where he again played a leadership role as a member of the board of trustees.

McDowell was born on January 20, 1919 in Talladega, Alabama. After returning to the United States from Angola, he attended a school for children of missionaries. He later attended Newton High School in Newton, Massachusetts. He matriculated to Middlebury College in Vermont where he earned a bachelor's degree in English. He later earned a master's degree in English from Boston University and a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School.

While on a summer break, McDowell visited his father who was then president of Lincoln Academy in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The librarian there was a Fisk graduate named Mary Albey. Curtis was captivated by her charm and sincerity and pursued her. In 1942, the couple married and started a family. When he was accepted into the University of Chicago Law School, they moved to Chicago and settled into Chicago's Burnside community where they raised their family. Drawing from his eclectic background, he and Mary exposed the children to other cultures by traveling all over the globe.

McDowell was an avid tennis player and traveled the Midwest playing tennis tournaments as one of the original members of the Chicago Prairie Tennis Association. He was also a passionate bridge player and stamp collector.

At the time of his death, McDowell resided at the Waterford Estates, a retirement living community in Hazel Crest, Illinois.

Curtis was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Mary. He is survived by his son, the Rev. H. Lynn McDowell of Charlotte, North Carolina (Rose Ann); daughter Melody Maria McDowell, a publicist, writer and president of MELODY'service; and Sylvia Rebecca McDowell Nash (Arthur) a realtor in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is also survived by his stepmother, Ruth Alexander McDowell, of Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

In addition, he leaves to mourn grandchildren Neal Patrick Wells (Bethany), Angela Wells O'Connor (John), Mary Louise Lefaiver (Keith), Henry Curtis McDowell and Peter Alexander McDowell. He also leaves behind great grandchildren April Elizabeth Wells, Curtis Thomas O'Connor, Caroline Ellen O'Connor and a host of friends, including many from his Good Shepherd Church family..

Visitation for Mr. McDowell was held this past Saturday, May 14 from 10 to11 a.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd located on 5700 S. Prairie in Chicago; and was followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

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