Myrtle Augustus McDowell, 79, of Waveland, Mississippi departed this life, Thursday, May 2, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. Ms. McDowell lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for more that 20 years. She was a graduate of St. Rose de Lima High School and a member of St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church, Bay St. Louis.

For more than 30 years, Ms. McDowell was employed in Los Angeles, California, where she worked in the textile industry. She enjoyed playing cards and shopping, especially for others. Ms. McDowell possessed such a generous and caring heart and that was evident, as by her altruistic spirit. Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with family and friends. Her fondness of butterflies, now more than ever, gives her family an inner piece and shows the beauty of life. You see the beginning stages of life for a caterpillar is often viewed as difficult as it exits it's cocoon, but when given enough time, it can metamorph into something so beautiful. Through her life, Ms. McDowell showed us that life can sometimes seem difficult and maybe even painful, but when given time one can metamorph into something so BEAUTIFUL. Ms. McDowell will be missed dearly by those who knew her, but like the butterfly we will let the legacy of your life bring us BEAUTY!

She is proceeded in death by both parents, Mr. Columbus Augustus, Sr. and Mrs. Yvonne Meggs Augustus; a son, James Baker and a daughter, Sabrina Baker.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory, a son, Ricardo McDowell- Los Angeles, California; a brother, Columbus Joseph Augustus, Jr.- Waveland, Mississippi; two sisters, Jean Dorsey- Pass Christian, Mississippi, Cynthia Cain- Smyrna, Delaware ; 1 granddaughter, Essence McDowell (Isaac) Jernigan- Las Vegas, Nevada and a host of family members and friends.